Wearing a great, white, sparkly dress, Kiki de Ville struts onto the stage and you immediately know you are in for a good night. With the right amount of tongue and cheek, she rallies up the audience creating a tantalising atmosphere of anticipation and excitement as she welcomes us to this night of Burlesque and Cabaret.
And you will definitely not leave this show thinking you’ve been short changed. Jam packed with all styles of burlesque and cabaret there is enough entertainment to fulfil anyone’s wants and desires.
And you will definitely not leave this show thinking you’ve been short changed. Jam packed with all styles of burlesque and cabaret there is enough entertainment to fulfil anyone’s wants and desires. From the Oriental Dance Company enticing the audience with their graceful yet seductive belly dancing to Edd Muir showing off his skills with a whip, the tent became charged with a euphoric ecstasy of pure enjoyment as the audience hailed, shouted and applauded for more.
The stand out performer of the evening was undoubtedly Velma Von Bon Bon who stole the show in her two unusual burlesque performances. Her first, entering the stage riding a gigantic pink flamingo, was one of the most unusual yet entertaining burlesque performances I have ever seen. Her mix of comical genius and theatrical presence brings something undoubtedly new and innovative to this art form. In the second act she shows how her combination of comedy and athleticism can join together to create something new and captivating. Never did I think watching someone try to climb up into a small martini glass, à la Dita Von Teese, could be so enjoyable. She first teases the audience, providing eye-watering laughter as she, in the least graceful way possible, endeavours to climb up the stem. However, after a quick 80’s anthem which she claims ‘can turn anyone extremely fit in an unusually short space of time’, she shows off her athletic prowess, swinging up and down the stem until she spins up and into the martini bowl in one fluid, climactic movement – much to our cheers and delight.
But she doesn’t stop there. Liberally dousing herself with water, she turns the front row into a splash zone. Velma Von Bon Bon certainly knows how to finish.
After this stand out performance however, it was perhaps unwise to finish with the Yorkshire Can Can company who after the many high quality performances came across as a little amateurish in comparison.
Moulin Ouse truly was a spectacle to behold. Catch them again on the 1st August at the Great Yorkshire Fringe for what I am sure will be another thoroughly entertaining night.
