Hailing from Sydney, Cirque Songstress Productions has returned to the 2025 Adelaide Fringe with Wonderfully Terrible Things. Living up to its name, lead vocalist Christine Ibrahim and her cast blend delightfully daring stunts with hilariously cheeky moments that are just the right amount of terrible in the best possible way!
In the mini arena that is the Ukiyo in Gluttony, don’t expect to hide in the bleachers because Christine is not afraid to engage with you. Don’t fret, though; there is no need to hide because she is a remarkable lead and host of the show.
From the outset, Christine is not afraid to jump straight into cheeky banter with the crowd. Nothing gets the girls and the gays onside than a bit of banter towards the straight white men in the room, and she absolutely nails this.
From here, the whole crowd is on board, roaring with laughter and on the edge of their seats at how far the jokes will go. Christine further establishes a connection with the crowd through vulnerable storytelling moments. Just when your sympathy is at its peak, she gives the crowd whiplash as she flips straight back into her cheeky self through a perfectly timed song.
The lyrics, though, are completely unexpected and outlandish. Christine’s vocal feats are just as unexpectedly impressive as her aerial work, proving that she can do it all and is a performer to watch.
Joining Christine in this divine variety cabaret show are three extraordinary artists. They include 2019 and 2020 Burlesque Entertainer of the Year, Natalya Alessi. Natalya is dark, tempting and dangerous, with a playful mix of elegance and tease. She leaves the crowd wanting more, eyeing the audience with a frisky smirk.
Taking to the skies is Matthew Pope, who displays highly impressive aerial work. He fuses strength and charm, unafraid to wander towards a sexy, feminine display of performance art.
Bringing the heat, figuratively and literally, is the incredible Saint Eve. Unafraid to get up in the crowd, they gave the audience an outrageously daring performance that had it all, from roses to dancing to fire eating!
Brash and unabashed, these burlesque artists revel in breaking taboos. They incorporate everything from provocative stripteases to cheeky drug references in a playful yet powerful tribute to life’s most rebellious pleasures!
Wonderfully Terrible Things is a show for the daring, the lovers of dark humour, and those after a burlesque show that pushes the boundaries of audience experience. It is a glorious celebration of the wonderfully terrible things one does in life, and it is not to be missed.