Review-A Midsummer Night's Tease-Vixens Burlesque
31-8-13
By: Maureen Coulter
Burlesque requires style, panache, high energy and above all performers with their tongues firmly in their cheeks (no pun intended). It should also be sexy. To work in an era when explicitly sexual images of women are readily available, burlesque also needs a sense of irony. The Vixens’ show A Midsummer Night’s Tease has moments in which some of these elements are present, but, on balance, the performance shows potential, rather than the realisation of what the genre has to offer as entertainment.
The women approached their performances like earnest schoolgirls carrying out the movements given to them by a PE teacher. Indeed there were moments when they seemed apologetic about discarding their bras, albeit with their backs to us. (Was Mum in the audience?) Their movements lacked breadth and conviction, but most of all they lacked energy, and they did not always engage fully with the audience. Saucy requires eye contact and a knowing smile.
The men, similarly—and manfully—strutted their stuff, but were hampered by unconvincing choreography. Their best moment was when they dressed as women in the number “Wannabe” and they brought out the humour and energy of the piece. Leopard “woman” was a standout for his engagement with the audience and the enjoyment with which he delivered his role.
More imaginative and stylish costuming, make-up and hairstyles would have enhanced the visual appeal of the show—burlesque needs glamour. A thematic focus would give the show greater cohesion, as would better choreography, with more shape, more variety in the steps, and a greater use of space. Ensemble pieces need to be precise and slick and the show as a whole needs to build to a climax. Despite the use of the well-known “Hey Big Spender,” the finale was an anticlimax. Everyone wants a climax!
Some fine comedic moments are provided by the MC, Pussy Galore. She has a good understanding of the genre and a talent for stand-up comedy. Her energy and rapport with the punters drew some real laughs and helped hold the show together.
There is potential in this show, and the performers want to make it work. But it needs to meet more fully audience expectations of humour, glamour and titillation. In an age saturated with sexualised images of women, burlesque is a demanding theatrical genre to pull off (!). It needs a sense of irony, but most all it should be fun. As leader of the pack, Pussy Galore knows this. Perhaps the Vixens need a little more spanking.
A Midsummer Night's Tease is playing at Bisous through Saturday, the 31st. For more information, click here.
Comments
Alice McKay
I think this critic was a little harsh on some of the comments. How much more of the space could they have used? It was a bar! It was a fun show and very entertaining. The band was great! I loved the circus number and the MC, especially.
31 August 2013Vixen Fan
This lady is nuts. Sex Bomb was awesome! Go David!!!!
31 August 2013Missy
I think the show accomplished it's mission of being fun and fabulous. The vixen philosophy was stated in the show as it's not about being perfect but fabulous. The girls accomplished this and made us all have a great time while doing it. The David Bowie Knives were amazing as usual. (Why no love for them in the review?) This critic needed to lighten up and have some fun.
31 August 2013Chrissy
This is the vaguest review on earth. The girls were in so many routines of different varieties and the only one mentioned is Big Spender. Why was it an anticlimax? It's not reallye nough to just say it was. Aside from the MC, who was indeed fabulous, maybe a positive (or negative) note on specific routines instead of washy comments tarring every routine with the same brush
31 August 2013Duh
It's called a Midsummer Nights TEASE not TAKE IT ALL OFF. Hence not whipping the bras off to the audience. If this critic wanted full frontal she should have gone to Wan Chai
31 August 2013Annie
Lets not forget that these performers have none performer alter egos. They set out to prove that fabulousness is not dependent perfection. They danced their bras off with class and a heck of a lot of bravery.
31 August 2013Johnny
The critic is on point that they needed some more confidence in the face and that sometimes the choreography wasn't in sync. I do agree with the other people in the comment section that the show is fun and fabulous. I had a lot of fun! Well worth the 200 bucks. I would recommend it.
31 August 2013Hanzo
'Boy' was SEXY! Wouldn't mind a bita that ;)
31 August 2013Lok
Congrats to HKELD for its first honest review. Ever.
31 August 2013Ricky
saw the saturday show. luv the boys. great music. great fun. so positive love in room.
01 September 2013Lady Lucky
Really loved the show. The ladies have a wonderful energy about them that makes you feel so good about yourself and genuinely happy at the end of the night.
02 September 2013