Chaz Royal's Big Top Burlesque Follies

Held on the 16th October 2010 @ 99 on York

Advertising the show as “an extravaganza of Classic Burlesque and Circus Variety like no other” I have to say I had high expectations. However, yet again in Sydney, this show was largely let down by the venue. 99 on York is an RSL club. There were a few haphazardly placed plain tables with chairs around them, and that was it in the way of decorations. We had to go and grab chairs from the pokies section, as there weren’t enough chairs for the audience. I was expecting something reminiscent of a Big Top.  But instead it felt like we were in an RSL, which we were. The $4.50 glass of champagne had us gagging. Atmosphere was hugely lacking. The sound and lighting wasn’t exactly smooth either. This was quite different from what I’ve come to expect from venues like De Nom and Arthouse Hotel.

The ring master of the night, Armitage Shanks provided carnival-goth entertainment that ended with him leading the audience in a sing-along, dancing as elephants. It was impossible not to laugh during this.It was a shame that the audience was only just starting to have fun at this point.

The performers included the hula-hooper Lilikoi Kaos, Magenta Diamond who made us squirm by putting nails up her nose, international burlesque act Queen Beeby Rose, as well as the usual Australian performers, including Holly Ja’Doll and Lauren LaRouge. But nothing could save the show, not even all round great performances.

With just a little bit of more thought put into the venue, this could have been a great success. I wouldn’t have minded paying just a little bit more to get enough chairs put in the room and a few decorations thrown in to create some mood.