Tassels + Tummies with Honey B Productions

(Interview followed by Review) 

“This isn’t a niche, this isn’t a small thing that only a couple people want to see. This is deeply important.”

In conversation with Honey B, producer, sex worker + performer, we talk truth about the huge gaps in diversity + inclusion in the commercial arts industry and we celebrate the immense tenacity of her group of amazing burlesque performers to step up and expand on what entertainment can be this Adelaide Fringe season.

Tassels + Tummies was first performed last August in Adelaide with a massive audience turn out + overwhelming success. The show arose initially out of collective rage as fat burlesque performers from last year’s Adelaide Fringe season received a grotesque amount of hate + harassment during their performances. This resulted in performers pulling out of shows and quite frankly losing trust in the institutions that were supposed to champion diversity in their programmes. Despite these experiences being publicly named, the artists received no follow up support and have been left to deal with this on their own. And wow, they’ve not only dealt with it, but organised community and created a show that not only celebrates the fat experience but continues to tantalise in the face of adversity. This is an example of the resistance we need to see in the Arts industry to carve a path for all other marginalised communities.

“Burlesque is all about being a paradox and turning things on their heads.”

Honey B’s show is curated with a vibrant community of Burlesque performers, some from the local Adelaide scene and others travelling in from interstate. The performers have created their own acts + the team have collaborated to create a show that includes a good balance of politics, advocacy, playfulness, sex appeal + hard-hitting truths. Honey mentioned that their performer community share a group chat that is not only logistical, but creates a culture of support for all of the artists in the lead up to the show + beyond. The process has been one deep community connection + healing after many experiences of discrimination + attack.

“It expands people’s ideas of what’s sexy and what is good performance and what can be entertaining.”

Honey B is a juggler of many hats - she works a full-time office job alongside sex work on top of producing shows + performing - I actually have no idea how she is doing this much, but what I do know is that Honey has heard the call to make this work + is ferociously delivering it against all odds. Like many other marginalised artists right now, Honey and her team of performers’ work resists the harmful societal structures through expression, generosity + pleasure.

My Review

Tassels + Tummies gathered the most loving + excitable crowd. The Lab at Fool’s Paradise was nearly full to the brim with diversity, bold looks + colorful outfits. I immediately felt like I could be myself in this space + could feel that this show was going to be an exchange of honesty + empowerment.

The live + meaningful acknowledgement of country + show introduction set the bar high for the following acts. Our MC, Libby Trainor Parker, in her red sparkly dress, had us all in the palm of her hand - she was the sexy-chaos fairy-godmother of this show: SO FUNNY, unpredictable + slightly scary, in a fun dominatrix kind of way. I really enjoyed how each performer had written their intro/bio that Libby shared with us before welcoming them onto stage. As each performer walked on, they were met with a wild roar of woops + cheers - the amount of audible love in the room was incredible but definitely bring earplugs if you’re a loud sound sensitive human!

The acts themselves were diverse in body, spirit, music, gender + creative expression - the thoughtful show structure took us on a journey through many exciting worlds: our jaws were dropping in delight + pleasure as the sultry performers moved, teased + demanded our awe. Then our hearts overspilled with inspiration + empathy as performers invited us into their emotions + vulnerability with fearlessness + pride. You could really feel the community among the performers but also in the audience. There is a stronghold in this space that turns the patriarchy on its head + digs a stiletto in for good measure - political revolution in real-time within every step, gaze + reveal.

It would feel wrong to write this review + not to briefly summarize the unique set of performers who took to the stage. Honey B, although during this performance was only seen briefly helping clear the stage + open the curtains, is the curator behind this spectacular + meaningful show + deserves a lot of praise for how it has turned out! We felt each performer’s rage, thirst, sex appeal, pleasure + humor. Arthur Nicely started us off with a satirical jab at gym culture with the Nintendo Wii to You Spin Mii Right Round. Mimi Marie tantalised us with her jiggle accompanied by The Sound. Polly Esther Pantomime brought personal, political audio + expansive movement with Smalltown Sculptures. Evie Eerie got the whip out + gave us a switchy smack to Want You Bad. Sabre De Light broke our hearts + put them back together in This Is Me. Phoebe Ophidia fed our desires by candlelight and more to Bad Blood. Heidi Gun got brought her goth + got the angle-grinder out to Break the Ice and Kitty Obsidian adorned us their sharp gazes + teasing red feathers.

I left the show with the reminder of which voices in my head I should trust when it comes to my own body image. Which feels like a very powerful gift to pass on to an audience. I really hope this family of talented humans continue to make this work + that this show goes on to bigger stages - the world needs it.