With a show title like The Kaye Hole, you'd be a fool to expect anything short of risqué, rambunctious, and 100% off the rails in its most Fringe-y form.
Presenting this show as a diverse variety show, we are graced with a squad of superstars who have cemented themselves as the Fringe performers that you simply cannot afford to miss during the season. The extravagant and larger-than-life performer, artist and singer with an unmissable towering temptress vibe - Reuben Kaye - opens his show with perfectly-executed razor sharp wit from his solo show, as he unleashes his dramatic energy and captivating eloquence with the help of his trusted four-person band The Reverse Pronouns to set the scene of the type of the night that we have strapped ourselves in for. His personality is as transparent as glass, as he symbolically crashes down any and all prejudice that may have (un)knowingly entered the space. Kaye sets the tone of the show by stating that this is a safe space for mostly everyone (even the heterosexual males in the audience who are given a particularly special welcome). Political narratives occur in a bountiful yet tasteful form. Sharp wit and cleverly crafted humorous jabs fly across left, right, and centre. There is a mix of serious, sultry, and silly moments that makes the show thoroughly wholesome.
We are then dazzled by the epic entrance of iconic burlesque babe Bettie Bombshell (producer of After Hours Cabaret Club), who carefully but playfully strips away her leather get-up to create an act that can only be classified as titillating. Next up, we see the stunning aerialist and cabaret performer Loki Rickus, who effortlessly performs with hula hoops in their wheelchair to create a visual spectacle that needs to be seen to be believed; all the while donning the best makeup in town; accentuating drag eccentricity at its finest. The three performers from Hughman - Hilton Denis, Richard "Richie" Miller, and Thomas "Tommy" Egan waste no time in sweeping us off our feet with their tap dancing skills that perfectly synchronize to the rhythm that the three talented dancers create with each other. Despite having just performed at their high energy show prior, there is a significant amount of electricity that sparks right through the Octagon when these men take the stage and simultaneously, our breaths away.
We then move to the velvet-draped divine songstress Tina Del Twiste (Wes Snelling), who drinks her wine from a fishbowl and delivers a vocal delight in ways that attracts audible gasps and cheers from the audience. Her skills around holding her drink are downright hilarious to watch unfold and her visceral personality is what easily wins everyone over, with her ability to interact and connect with the audiences (in a COVID-safe manner, of course) at her mercy. Bringing the show to a bangin' close, we see the insatiable aerialist Emily Chilvers, whose raw performance against the smoky red light delivers a deep and meaningful connection to her movements and demonstrates marvellous dexterity and agility that is worthy of a standing ovation in itself.
The Kaye Hole is a safe space where people congregate to have an outrageously spicy time with acts that will ignite your deepest desires. Every show is different so be prepared to be surprised with a new set of acts every single time. No matter who is on though, expect a very high level of energy, enthusiasm, and elegance that will heavily contribute to the appeal of this brilliant 75 minute show of burlesque, cabaret, comedy, and circus streams of entertainment. It will also take you on a journey of embracing the weird, the quirky, and the utterly talented squad of artists and performers who deserve every ounce of support in mastering the deliverance of Fringe in a nutshell.