Back in 2024, it seemed that Red District was the talk of the Adelaide Fringe. A saucy adults-only show, it didn’t quite fall into the burlesque category, but was filled with raunchy dance, cirque, acro and comedic performances, and dripped with sexuality that took the average Fringe show to another level. Whether by mistake or design, the one-year hiatus that Red District had in 2025 seemed to work in its favour. I've received so many messages about Red District: either they can’t wait to go see it, or they want to know when I will be reviewing it. Well, I couldn’t wait to go see Red District myself. So I went and saw it AND reviewed it. Enjoy!

I had an admitted bias to this show: my friend Charli Meath was a late inclusion into the Red District line-up, which only made my excitement levels all the more striking for this high-octane show. It’s fair to say that she didn’t disappoint. Arriving straight from overseas, where she was showing the world her unique acro gifts for the past eight months, Charli delivered an aerial masterclass on the straps and lyra. I’d seen people perform on a lyra before, but never above it!

One of the highlights of Red District is the dance numbers done in triplicate by Carlie, Beatrice and Emily. These three performers didn’t miss a beat, changing up the tempo from hard and heavy to slow and sultry with ease. They also had time to perform their own solo routines, which had Carlie attacking the aerial pole like it owed her money, Beatrice softening the show with an elegant silks routine, and Emily, as always, killing every dance routine that she was in. The one thing that I particularly love about watching Emily perform is that she puts her whole soul into each performance. Her facial expressions and mannerisms elevate her routines from ‘just another dancer’ to ‘this is who you need to watch if you want to learn to dance’. Rounding out these striking women was Veronica. Bendy, strong and beautiful to watch on the aerial silks, she added a touch of grace to this hard-edged show.

Red District: Unleashed is a show about strong women who are confident in their abilities and sexuality. So having a male MC, like Hew Parham, provided the perfect contrast to these tough ladies. Meek, weak and unsure, he was constantly boasting about his non-existent exploits and did all the talking while the women didn’t utter a single word. I loved the change in power structure and dynamics that it brought to the show. One year away from the Adelaide Fringe didn’t change my thoughts or feelings about Red District. Strong women doing astonishing things, how can that be bad?

***** Five Stars