Sugar & Vice are Courtney Powell and Brydie Lee-Kennedy, who get up on stage and bare all. No, not like that – but if that’s what you’re looking for, there is a burlesque show next door. Courtney is a virgin and Brydie is decidedly not. Each has her version of failures in love and life. They provide a grab bag full of original songs with creative funny lyrics and cabaret their way into the audience's hearts.
Each touches on a few failed attempts at love or sex with a corresponding song to accompany. Interspersed is a modern day fairy tale about a princess who may or may not have lost her chance for a prince depending on which ending you choose from. There’s also a couple of covers from 90’s rock bands so well adapted to the young women’s style it’s difficult to recognise them right away.
I would have liked to hear more about why they’ve made the choices they have, but that would be a little too serious for this piece. The ladies could also work a little on making their banter feel more natural than rehearsed but their stories and songs still captivated and entertained. There was even a time for the audience to share their stories about all the men or women they’ve never slept with. It makes for a room filled with a big happy family of failed love.
Women in their 20s with romantically or sexually frustrated love lives will definitely be able to identify. And if you’re not in your 20s, you can probably remember when you were. If you aren’t female, there’s plenty of universally awkward moments to laugh at. It’s a free show and the ladies do a wonderful job entertaining with their witty retellings of their true to life woes of love.
