Sydney-based “Red Light Confidential” made its near-annual pilgrimage to The Ellington and Perth for the 2025 FRINGE WORLD season. Or perhaps less a pilgrimage and more an imperial Roman triumph, as this troupe have never disappointed in all the years they have returned to the West.

MC for the evening, drag queen Dakota Fann’ee, brought a boisterous crudity to proceedings, flirted outrageously with the audience, and threw some viciously funny roasts in that same direction. In danger of these were not only those in the front row, as usually expected – with Fann’ee’s comfort and ease in her role, she was unafraid to get into every nook, corner, and crevice of the venue, to almost every punter, over the course of the hour.

With perfectly coiffed hair, pleasingly pastel-coloured clothing, and a playful sense of whimsy, Dandyman performed circus, burlesque, and outright absurdism, all in the single act, which had the audience both roaring with laughter and on the edge of their seats. All without a word spoken by the artist, a knowing mysterious muteness as much a part of the act as the rest. 

Producer and global burlesque superstar, Kelly Ann Doll, sashayed onto the stage as if she owned it, which, for this evening at least, she technically did. Doll showcased a wonderful mix of cheeky professionalism, and, in her interactions with the audience, demonstrated both strutting haughtiness and delightful playfulness. In an evening of fabulous costume overall, Doll’s was probably the most stunning.

“Red Light Confidential” was packed to the rafters full of talent and variety in the acts brought to stage, from comedy, through circus, to singing, both lip-synched and live. All artists tonight exceeded the high bar already anticipated, and it was a delight to see how the performers, both local and out of town, easily came together to make this show as wholly entertaining as it was.