Far from the bustling hubs of the East Terrace, there are rich rewards to be found over on Adelaide’s west side. Tucked away in a little place off Hindley Street, you'll find the temporary home of Talk and Tease productions at Bebe’s Room, who’re serving up a delicious cabaret variety show that easily rivals the giant headliners of the Garden.

Nestled next to the Marcellina restaurant, patrons can opt for a ticket or bonus meal package, an entertainment model that the production crew promote in their hometown of Sydney. Whatever trepidations I had about the three-hour run time were long forgotten by the last curtain call. An intermission to enjoy dinner and digest the unique routines gives the show room to breathe and the vibes to linger. 

And oh what fun it is: The show promises outrageous and seductive burlesque acts, and the artists clearly understood the assignment. Talk and Tease takes inspiration from the French origins of cabaret theatre to offer a buffet of skin and a visual feast that feels reminiscent of a traditional dinner show at the Moulin Rouge.

We’re treated to a note-perfect host in Jarred Keane. Equal parts charming, suave and cheeky, he glides across the stage in a dashing blue suit, dropping witticisms and quippy observations wherever his eyes land. After important housekeeping about maintaining respect and consent, he then riles his audience up to make sure he gets every last drop of applause. A less-apt host might struggle to whip their viewers into shape, but Keane is certainly no amateur here.

This line-up is nothing short of absolute fire. Local heartthrob Rhys Lightning is lithe, precise and goddamn sexy with two exquisitely well-executed acts where he dons a French mime costume and performs the cancan, and later appears as a Spanish devil complete with maracas. Lola Raine is an absolute stunner with a voice that melts like butter and indulges us with lush renditions of classic showtunes, accompanied by two exceptionally talented backup dancers. Hannah Raven delivers an iconic blend of classic burlesque show girl with hilarious send-ups of conventional striptease (gosh, I wish I owned that red feather boa!). Award-winning Ben Noir is impossible to look away from. Wielding his Frenchness like a weapon, his mannerisms and physical comedy are all the right kinds of naughty and vaudevillian to the max. My plus one was lucky enough to be nominated to assist with his striptease and get a consensual spanking - definitely not something she was expecting! 

It takes an incredible team with a unified creative vision to overcome the limitations of their surroundings, and the Talk and Tease cast is absolute perfection in their craft and professionalism. A smaller crowd and smaller venue can't contain their raw, infectious sex appeal and unmatchable stage presence. Presentation and connection are everything in cabaret, and these performers leave no stone unturned to make this night unforgettable. They break down the conventions of Burlesque and cabaret and reinvent them into something completely unique. I desperately want to see what they can do with the lush vibrancy of a jazz bar or big top stage - they certainly deserve it.  

This might just be the biggest diamond in the rough the Fringe has to offer. It revels in the risqué and the provocative, and they make every inch of space at their disposal. It'll have you screaming oui for more!

***** Five Stars