Swamplesque returns to Adelaide after touring Far Far Away with a brand-new burlesque, drag & circus parody, and we all know that the sequel is better than the original!

Firstly, a big thanks to the Adelaide Fringe and Cluster Arts for sending us a pass to cover Swamplesque 2! Based on the almost sold-out numbers for the last weekend of the season, the team probably doesn't need the extra review coverage, but it was very kind of them to hook us up!

The UK-based production has clearly gained momentum in recent years, to the point that they've supposedly had legal troubles with DreamWorks. While we missed the first Swamplesque, jumping into the second one still gave plenty of ogre shenanigans.

It's almost fascinating how well certain elements of Shrek 2 worked as a pride-coded burlesque show. The "gender-confused wolf" line hits quite differently in 2026! Using the plot structure and audio of Shrek 2, the cast performed lively renditions of songs from the soundtrack and the usual suspects from other drag shows. Moulin Rouge and Queen make briefs, and their reference to The Substance was a stroke of genius. Yes, there were many other playful gestures made during the show! 

The performers were absolutely wild as their animated counterparts, while also displaying other talents. From singing to dancing, as well as Puss in Boots showcasing sword swallowing and Prince Charming swinging on a trapeze. It is almost surprising that there was no tightrope walking, but the show itself did more than enough of that to avoid any copyright breaches! As to be expected, the Fairy Godmother singing Holding Out for a Hero absolutely rocked the house, with the crowd turning into a sing-along. Be prepared for a lot of tassels and risque body exposure! 

Overall, Swamplesque 2 is an "all-star" production, being very loud, proud, and so much fun. If you're looking to finish the Adelaide Fringe with a bang, I'd definitely recommend seeing Swamplesque 2. Let's hope that there'll be a third next year.