Variety shows, eh? From multi-titled burlesque royalty one moment, to perhaps WA’s Next Big Thing five minutes later. The act after, switching it up, continually. Subiaco’s very own Lady Velvet Cabaret, who have been on the FRINGE WORLD stage since 2012, present Red Velvet Revue, in collaboration with the Ellington Jazz Club.

First, just to acknowledge how good, how great it is to have live performance back. The Ellington as an intimate space, even with reduced capacity and social distancing. The hum of the crowd, the peals of laughter, the frisson of opening night excitement, which, no matter how many years into the festival we are, never gets old.

The Revue is absolutely the late night dessert buffet Perth needs. One performer making a stunning entrance, a doorway silhouette the entire first sixteen bars of their song, then the routine unfolding, as languid and sultry as a Louisiana summer. Contortionists, always fun, though watching the audience react to them, even more so.

Going beyond contortion, through to magic, razor blades, and a deep sense of unease.  Literal jaws dropped around the room, aghast.  Eyes screwed up, denying the visions just seen. To Muse’s Feeling Good, no less. Onto boylesque, with shoulder pads and stilettos to die for, an inordinate amount of leopard print, and so much sass.

Drag as high art, some of the prettiest pasties ever seen this side of the Nullarbor, and even a nod to Australia’s favourite politician not called Mark – the evening is literally overflowing, so much quality entertainment on just the one ticket.

A couple of interstate acts in the mix, but, in this most disrupted of years, the fact just shines through that Western Australia has such a deep bench of local talent, lovingly curated tonight. We can and do miss the rest of the planet, but can and do hold our own with any other arts scene in the world.

Red Velvet Revue – erotic, confusing (in the very best way), a fantastic night out.