A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, burlesque collided with the Force, unleashing an intergalactic spectacle of sass, spice, and spectacular seduction to create Star Warz Denude. Landing at The Lab at Fool’s Paradise for the opening weekend of the Adelaide Fringe Festival, this tantalising show is a burlesque parody of the Star Wars universe that will have you laughing, blushing, and maybe even rethinking where your allegiance lies. Whether you're a Jedi, a Sith, or somewhere in between, this show takes everyone’s beloved (or hated) Star Wars characters and makes them sexy (or in some cases, sexier) through the art of the tease, creating a spectacle that’s truly out of this world.
Mellogamy Muse kicks off the evening as the legendary Jedi Master, Yoda. Also acting as host for the evening, Mellogamy is the perfect guide to this intergalactic journey, seamlessly weaving her unique energy between acts and keeping the crowd engaged with her witty banter and infectious laugh. Dressed in full Yoda regalia, including green face paint, a bald cap with Yoda ears and dinosaur claw slippers, Mellogamy commands the stage with a cheeky performance to Seagulls! (Stop It Now), a Bad Lip Reading of Empire Strikes Back that once ruled the Empire during the golden age of YouTube. Picture this: fake seagulls precariously perched on microphone stands, Yoda seemingly tap dancing whilst wielding a green lightsaber, all whilst wearing green pasties in the shape of Yoda’s face. Who knew Yoda had moves like this?
Portraying the ever-proper protocol droid C-3PO is Cosmo Enchantèe, who has more spark than the Millennium Falcon on hyperdrive. Stepping onto the stage with a plush R2-D2 in hand, Cosmo channels C-3PO’s metallic chic in a stunning gold skater dress complete with C-3PO mask, shiny gold knee-high boots and flashing LED light hairdo. Performing to I Am Gold, a parody of Let It Go from Disney’s Frozen, Cosmo sheds the layers of this magnificent costume as the performance builds to reveal neon “hardwiring” that glows, drawing you in like a magnet. A true Star Wars fan’s dream, Cosmo’s performance is as dazzling as a droid could ever be - it’s clear that C-3PO’s got more programming than just polite conversation.
Lu Lu Belle struts onto the stage as Twinelle, a Twi'lek with confidence and charm that could make even a Jedi lose their focus. Eager-eyed audience members will remember seeing - and most definitely hearing - Lu Lu play a rendition of the Star Wars Theme on the recorder at the beginning of the show before being chased off stage by some very unimpressed Stormtroopers. Wearing a pair of long headtails or “lekku”, and a flowing black-to-red ombre silk robe cinched at the waist with a dramatic red waspie, Lu Lu instantly commands attention. As she sheds her robe to reveal a sparkling red rhinestoned set and matching ombre half-skirt, the audience is treated to her mesmerising silk fan routine, where she gracefully manipulates the fabric as if she’s wielding the Force itself. Twinelle’s fans swirl in hypnotic patterns, her movements a seamless blend of seduction and precision, turning the stage into a swaying, red-hot Tatooine cantina. It’s a captivating, confident, and playful display—just like Twinelle herself.
Holly Hooray roars onto the stage as everyone's favourite Wookiee, Chewbacca, bringing the perfect blend of beauty, brawn and belting vocals - yes, that's right - Chewie can sing! Complete with an insanely detailed Chewie headpiece with long cascading locks and furry arm and leg warmers, Holly brings Chewie to life in ways you’ve never seen before. Suffering a heartbreak that this wookiee can't shake, Holly belts out an emotional ballad of Empire, a parody of Olivia Rodrigo's Vampire: a tear-jerker tribute to Chewie’s unrequited love for Han Solo. Following this emotional number, Holly rocks out to a parody of Errol by Australian Crawl, aptly replacing the name “Errol” with “Han Solo”. It’s a performance that’ll have you saying, “Chewie, we're home!”… but only after you’re wiping away tears of laughter from the hilarity of it all.
Ivy Cyanide storms onto the stage as the galaxy's most notorious bounty hunter, Boba Fett - and it’s clear she’s not here to negotiate. Decked out in Boba Fett’s signature helmet and a risque Mandalorian suit that could make even the toughest rebels weak in the knees, Ivy exudes the cold, silent badassery Boba Fett is known for. Ivy channels the swagger of a bounty hunter to the high-energy beat of LMFAO's Sexy and I Know It, showing off by doing push ups on stage before ripping off her tear-away pants to reveal a pair of khaki booty shorts complete with a handy utility belt. From hunting bounties to stealing hearts, Ivy proves that the only thing more dangerous than her blaster is her irresistible charm. It’s a performance so hot, you’ll be caught in her booby trap before you even know it.
General Leia Organa, portrayed by Brandy Snap, is no damsel in distress. She lights up the stage with an epic lightsaber routine set to Sail by AWOLNATION. Spinning and twirling the glowing saber with precision and flair, Brandy is a “Force” to be reckoned with. Decked out in Leia’s iconic white robe and styled star-puff hair, Brandy dazzles underneath with a black rhinestone set that makes her look like she’s been kissed by the stars themselves. Like the true hero Leia is, Brandy proves once again that no Death Star is too big to destroy, and no crowd is too tough to win over. After all, she’s not just in it for the Empire—she's here to take over hearts, one rebellion at a time.
Lucas Andrews brings his A-game as Luke Skywalker, channeling the perfect blend of charisma and comedy for a performance that’s equal parts heroic and hilarious. Dressed in a floor-length brown Jedi robe with none other than Grogu (aka Baby Yoda) strapped to his back, Lucas kicks off with a jaw-dropping green lightsaber spinning routine that has the crowd in awe. But he doesn’t stop there—he adds a few cheeky somersaults towards the audience, showcasing his Jedi agility. As the beats of I Will Not Be The Last Jedi (Master Luke Skywalker x The Last Jedi Theme EDM) drop, Lucas takes it to the next level, dramatically shedding his robe to reveal a lime green mankini: the Borat x Star Wars crossover that will make you let out a Wilhelm scream. Things take an even more unexpected turn when he brings out Brandy Snap as Princess Leia, coaxing her into a chair for a hilariously awkward lapdance. In true Skywalker style, he invites a lucky audience member to the stage for a lap dance, only to be humorously herded off by a group of Stormtroopers. Luke Skywalker may have saved the galaxy, but Lucas just stole the show.
Starling Strix (as the beloved—or divisive—clumsy Gungan outcast, Jar Jar Binks, absolutely steals the spotlight in a performance that’s as chaotic and lovable as the character himself. At first, you’ll spot a hooded figure in long black robes and think Darth Sidious is making a surprise appearance. But then you hear that unmistakable high-pitched voice say, “Ex-squeeze me!”: it’s Jar Jar Binks himself. Performing to the Jar Jar Binks Anthem, a hilarious YouTube mashup parody, Starling nails the character’s signature goofy charm. As the performance heats up, the music transitions to Pony by Ginuwine, and the dance takes a decidedly risque turn. Dressed in an insanely accurate Jar Jar Binks rubber mask, Starling channels all the bumbling energy of the beloved (or hated) Gungan, leaving the crowd in fits of laughter. Things get even more jaw-dropping when they rip off a pair of tear-away pants, revealing a pair of gold shiny hot pants—Jar Jar’s got legs, folks. Just when you think you’ve seen it all, Starling gives the audience one last Jar Jar Binks surprise—you’ll have to see it to believe it. From clumsy moves to surprising twists, Starling’s Jar Jar Binks is everything you didn’t know you needed, with a little bit of mischief, humour, and a whole lot of heart.
Daphne Delphine as Darth Vader takes the iconic Sith Lord to a whole new level of seductive power. In this alternate universe, “Daddy Vader” rules the galaxy with fierce confidence and undeniable allure. Dressed in Darth Vader’s signature helmet and mask, a long black PVC trench coat, thigh-high black boots, and a shiny bodysuit, Daphne embodies the Dark Side like never before: slick, slinky, and dripping with villainous charm. Performing to DARKSIDE by Neoni, her sensual floor work and gravity-defying splits are enough to make even the toughest Rebel rethink their stance. With each move, Daphne oozes self-assurance, embodying the powerful femme fatale we never knew we needed. She even whips out two red lightsabers for an epic finale, spinning them with the kind of skill and ease that would make even the Emperor envious. Clearly, the Force is strong with her. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, she dazzles the crowd with a black and red tie-dye silk fan routine set to a sultry, dark rendition of Paint It Black by Valerie Broussard. Darth Vader may have been feared across the galaxy, but in Daphne’s hands, he's nothing short of mesmerising.
Star Warz Denude is a show of intergalactic proportions, dishing out a cosmic combo of cosplay, comedy and burlesque. Whether you're a casual fan, a die-hard Jedi or somewhere lost in hyperspace, this show has something for everyone: lightsabers, laughs, and plenty of light-hearted lasciviousness. This production was brought to you by Ardent Artiste Productions: pioneers in creating a space inclusive of mature-aged performers, LGBTQIA+ artists, and neurodivergent entertainers. This is the way, Star Wars nerds! You won’t be saying "I’ve got a bad feeling about this", because this show will seduce you, charm you and leave you in fits of side-splitting laughter, no matter if you're cheering for the sexy Siths or the charming rebels.
Star Warz Denude
Venue: The Lab at Fool's Paradise, Victoria Square, Adelaide SA 5000
Dates: Thursday 20 February - Sunday 23 February
Rating: ★★★★★