Sydney Reviews

Sultry jazz is playing somewhere, enticing me to follow, and as I reach the top of the stairs, my breath is taken away by the lone figure I see. A voluptuous dancer sways lazily to the jazz, her corseted back to me. I’m hypnotized as I watch her hips draw pictures in my mind, her hands running along her curves and I begin to wonder what she looks like. She’s read my mind. At that very precise moment, she turns her head just enough for me to see her smile, her red lips oozing with sex appeal.

This entree serve of entertainment sets the mood for The Burlesque Effect, preparing the more prudish of audience members (what were they doing there anyway?!) for two and a half hours of raunch, sass and cheek, pun most definitely intended!

Burlesque, a new phenomenon of sorts, trending in modern theatres sees a renaissance of the American interpretation, fueled by female stripteases and lewd comedy, which director Alexandra Byron plays for all its worth. She also pays homage to the Victorian era of burlesque, and very successfully weaves in and out of the fourth wall. What I find sets The Burlesque Effect apart from your typical burlesque show is the essences of traditional burlesque to be found scattered in the script by writer Wayne Tunks, be it in the juxtaposition of comedic, almost surreal representations of life against the very raw and harsh realities we can all relate to or simply the adoption of a master of ceremonies.

The Burlesque Effect explores a parallel world that exists in the dimly lit lounges of straight laced Sydney in the 1950s. When James, a seemingly happily married man is forcibly dragged to The Scarlet Lounge by a colleague, he experiences the vibe of burlesque for the first time and something in him awakens. Captivated by Honey, a dancer by night and a secretarial student by day, James finds his work and life at home growing more monotonous. James is torn between the life he has maintained and the one he longs for.

Slow scenes changes aside, the show is bursting with energy and talent. The women each showcase a different style of dance (burlesque, tap, Latin, ballet, interpretive just to name a few) and are able to show just as much technique as they do humour. The show is as funny as it is sexy and gripping, so if you have an appreciation for different dance styles, refined technique, some good quality acting and a whole lot of laughs, and you're not too uptight, go along and be taken away by Newtown Theatre’s Scarlet Lounge for the night. Remember, it's first come best dressed so get in quick!


Tunks Productions
The Burlesque Effect
by Wayne Tunks

Director Alexandra Byron

Venue: Newtown Theatre | Corner Bray Street & King Street, Newtown
Dates: 21 Jul – 13 Aug, 2011
Times: Tues – Sat @ 8.00 pm
Tickets: $28 | $22. Tight Arse Tuesdays $15
Bookings: (02) 8019 0294

Please note The Burlesque Effect contains nudity, occasional course language, violence and adult themes