And the award for the ‘Most bizarre timeslot at the Adelaide Fringe’ goes to Club d’Amour: Through the Back Door. I’m not sure who did the fixturing, or if they’d ever seen Club d’Amour show before, but I think there were more than a few audience members shocked at this debaucherous show (set in a French Brothel) playing at a 6.30 pm timeslot. This reviewer knew what he was in for though, and absolutely loved it. We have so many burlesque acts spread around the Adelaide Fringe scene this year, that it was refreshing to see boylesque acts take centre stage. And with a killer set design, outlandish costumes and some of the most on-point choreography numbers I’ve seen this year, I was more surprised at myself that I’d never seen Club d’Amour show before. 

The premise is pretty simple: two guys find themselves inside this house of ill-repute where they watch on and then take part in all the salacious acts within its walls. What comes next are dance and acro numbers that are filled with sexy moves and scandalous performances. Two guys one trapeze, a double fire strap act and an aerial rope routine were some of the more eye-opening numbers, but nothing could beat the cowboy routine performed by the whole cast in perfect unison.

With MC Fay Rocious anchoring the show, it was a fun, funny and attractive show to watch. I found it hilarious that Fay was constantly checking up on conservative audience members who thought they were seeing a ‘straight 6.30pm show’ just to make sure they weren’t too frazzled from the titillating performances onstage. Although the live singing did come across as a little shouty at times, Club d’Amour is a show that you can tell is performed by a highly professional cast that, not only knows how to have a good time but loves working with one another. Enter if you dare!

FOUR AND A HALF STARS ****1/2

Reviewed by Shane Berketa