The real winner of this chaotic comedy cabaret is the audience who enthusiastically cheer, laugh and vote for their favourite on-stage antics.

The inimitable Tash York is a sensation on her own but this time she’s joined by three random Fringe artists each night, whose reputation gets put on the line when their act deliberately goes wrong. 

Tash York’ Chaos Cabaret is an ode to the classic actor’s mantra “The show must go on”. Each of her guests perform their signature act during which York will catch them off guard. She might change the music, throw in some sound effects, or do whatever it takes to see if they can finish the act despite it falling apart around them. It’s comedy gold and gives new meaning to “a poor, struggling artist”. Through tears of laughter, you really do feel for them.

It’s an improvised variety show where the artists don’t know what’s in store for them and the audience use their phones to either vote for their favourites or choose what will happen to each guest performer.

Between each round, York showcases her extraordinary talent as a camp, crass cabaret diva, belting out songs and engaging the audience with rapid-fire humour. She’s a world class act but she ain’t nothing like a dame!

Improvised songs are always a highlight of York’s performances and this is no exception. Having her competitors join in and attempt to do the same is a clever touch.

Tash York’s Chaos Cabaret is a finely-tuned, tight ship that looks messy but is a step above its wonderful South Australian debut at last year’s Glenelg Winter Arts Festival under the mantle of Fringe as F**k. She’s tweaked it, improved it, and unleashed a hilarious version 2.0.

Facing the challenge on Friday night were three outrageously fun acts: circus performer Katie Wright, singer and co-host of The Cabaret Hour, Iva Rosebud, and the green burlesque ogre Trigger Happy from Swamplesque. Each survived the chaos admirably, and proved both their talent and their adaptability to make the most of unexpected situations. Bravo to all for their ingenious ways of keeping things moving when faced with the unexpected.

With no two shows the same, and a host of Fringe performers rotating across the season, Tash York’s Chaos Cabaret is worth repeated viewings and a truly masterful way of sampling other shows and artists.