The Very Best Of Empress Stah
Umbrella Revolution, Garden of Unearthly Delights
Until Sat 15 March



Sometimes I really want to hit that annoying dude with the beer and curry whoop-whooping in the front row of adult-themed shows. As soon as a female performer takes off her clothes, out comes a mighty "heeellllllll yeeaaahhhh!". Conversely, when a 300-pound African opera singer clad entirely in spandex leopard print struts his stuff, said douchebag lets out an oh-so-predictable "take it home". Why can't some people just get the ancient art of burlesque? Why must it all be reduced to T&A (or in Empress Stah's case, a bit of tasteful full frontal nudity?)

If you're of said disposition, stay home and don't distract this amazing troupe of ridiculously talented performers with your suburban ignorance. These ladies (!) are consummate performers and give the audience one and a half hours of pure gold - literally. Headlining act Empress Stah does anything (yup, anything) with a saucy nature in an artful and dignified display of the glorious female form in full acrobatic glory. Always keeping a little mystery, even whilst hanging from a chandelier in heart-shaped pasties, Empress Stah is a self-contained theatrical unit, showing off her neo-burlesque talents without giving the audience more than she likes.

Fellow artiste deluxe Le Gateaux Chocolat had the crowd in stitches with his fabulous operatic renditions of modern tearjerkers and lovable on-stage banter. But it was Ryan Styles' totally mesmerizing act 'Old Age' that really had 'em rolling in the aisles. What a guy/girl. Styles blends equal parts high drama/camp to produce jaw-dropping Ÿber art that utterly broke my heart. Boo hoo.

As far as value for money, you can't complain considering there's a slinky seductress, a bombastic African opera singer and an awe-inspiring drag artist in the ticket price.

Burlesque is best! Death to Dita Von Teese! Viva Empress Stah!

Steph Mountzouris