Burlesque fans eager for fresh entertainment will be rewarded tenfold with a trip to Nineteen 10, Adelaide’s premier bar for performing artists. First-time producer Phoebe Ophidia brings a diverse array of burlesque stars from near and far to the debut of Naughty Noughties, a cheeky celebration of all things from the early noughts.
For such a young performer with a fledgling show, Phoebe holds her own against the more experienced entertainers Nineteen 10 has welcomed before her, and her tenacity deserves applause. She's as cute as a button and is endearingly sweet as a host. Plus, she's not afraid to get a little risque alongside her cast members (one incredibly memorable birthday surprise for one team member came with an especially unique method of drinking Passion Pop).
Letitia Stitch in Naughty Noughties
When one thinks of pop culture from the early 2000s, you'd be forgiven for thinking this show was just going to be a string of shallow and tired references to the media of the time. Instead, every performer taps into a novel interpretation of incredibly specific moments of cultural relevance to the era, whether it's the scene kid phenomenon, the Bratz Dollz craze, or the Top 40 bangers that made it onto your favourite So Fresh CD. It's a super creative use of nostalgia that dives deeper into the concept and embraces it in full.
The show is a standout collection of aerial, seductive dance and sideshow performance art. You'll be wowed by Sebastian Wolf as he takes an original Nu Metal approach to his fan and floor act. Icarus Aflame atop their iconic blazing lyra will stun you with an unrivaled version of the Napoleon Dynamite dance. A dynamite LED hula hoop act by Selena Sol brings the heat and gets the pulse racing. And (my personal favourite), Letitia Stitch brings delivers an unforgettable drag Billy Joe Armstrong from Green Day with a riotous bathtub routine.
Sexy, vibrant, enthrallingly choreographed. This is adult entertainment at its most creatively nostalgic. I see promising things for Miss Ophidia if she keeps up this level of high-quality entertainment, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.
FIVE STARS *****
Reviewed by Justine Hall