Wild Side is a variety show that stays true to its name and brings an extravagant cocktail of burlesque, drag, sideshow, and circus - all whilst being complemented with an epic 80s playlist of smash hits.
Hosted by Hannah Indigo - hula hoop superstar - this show offers the audience a burst of short, sharp, and shiny performances, where each performer takes centre stage and dazzles with their unique quirk and talent that will leave you clapping your hands and stomping your feet with ecstasy. Kicking off the show, we are graced with a piece of burlesque, where Sian Bridgid craftily shredded off layers of clothing to leave us all hot and bothered in the audience with a stunning black lingerie set. We are then treated to a sword-swallowing act that kept us on the edge of our seats, as they cut a cucumber with finesse on stage, followed by placing it down their throat with not a single twitch in sight. Zee Zee Pop dashed onto the stage, dressed in a helmet and a sparkly lingerie suit, where the fetish for latex and spandex was (re)ignited in ways that you couldn't imagine. Fire eating by Kitty Obsidian left us feeling hot and sweaty for all the right reasons, while Bravissimo whipped through a bunch of single-stemmed roses hard enough to spread a sense of excitement across the room. Kara Bissett incorporated excellent circus and aerial chains into the mix, with a sense of strength and agility that is to be seen to be believed. While making an appearance throughout the show as an MC, Hannah brought the show to a stunning close with a hula hoop performance (some of which are neon-lit) to inject enough energy and hype to get audiences ready for a debaucherous night out amidst the Fringe realm.
The choices of performances coupled with a dynamic playlist of 80s punk rock make Wild Side a show that can offer the perfect taster of the spirit of the Adelaide Fringe season. While there were a few issues with syncing up the choreography aspect during the performances, it did not deter from the brilliance that this wholesome and easygoing show has to offer. Hannah's MCing skills assisted with the sharp and witty little one-line zingers that kept the audience engaged throughout the jampacked hour. Overall, we were left with wonderment that made us appreciate each performer of this show for their skills that looked effortless but were nothing short of impressive to watch in action!
Wild Side will be performing at the Empire Cabaret Theatre at the Wonderland Festival Hub (Hindmarsh Square) from March 8th - 10th 2023. Tix can be purchased here.
Please note that the show on March 8th will be an AUSLAN-Interpreted show.