Easily one of the most enjoyable cabaret shows I’ve had the pleasure of viewing at the Fringe, Bisexual Intellectuals is an all-woman powerhouse hour of upbeat and unbridled hilarity. Millicent, Jemma and Rosie are a charming trio of queer-identifying performers on a mission to educate the public on the lived experiences of the bisexual community, dismantling stereotypes as easily as they break into impromptu musical numbers.
The warmth and humour of the trio shouldn’t be underplayed; all of them are engaging and delightful performers with a uniquely playful camaraderie. Not a moment feels out of place and every line of dialogue works to build on the absurdity and irreverent humor. Armed with their musical talents and impeccable crowd work, they deliver the show in the style of a public seminar, complete with PowerPoint presentations and voiceovers. But this isn’t your high school sex ed class: the ladies make sure to keep you guessing with chorus after chorus of original music and physical comedy. Tap dancing, an Irish ballad, a giant tampon, Rosie rapping in German in the middle of a techno bop; you never know what you're going to see next!
The original music is achingly funny and Millicent’s accompaniment on the keyboard elevates the production to sublimely silly levels (the song about the ugly bisexual flag had me in stitches). The musical numbers and sketches are freshly inventive and, at times, pointed in their observational humour. Even when touching on heated topics such as gendered stereotypes and reproductive health issues, the trio always keeps the laughs coming. No joke is used to punch down or exclude, and the dialogue never feels didactic or condescending. Instead, the ladies aim to educate in a thoughtful, nonjudgemental way that never sacrifices opportunities for laughs.
Thought-provoking and funny, Bisexual Intellectuals is bursting with creativity and heart. It's a warm hug for the queer-identifying crowd, and a welcome invitation for those who want to learn more about an often misunderstood demographic. A-grade musical comedy for those looking for smart and inclusive entertainment.