BLACK ORCHID BURLESQUE

(Diva Disastar)

Black Orchid Burlesque is a titillating tease of a show. Don’t take your inhibitions with you and you are sure to enjoy this sexy and sensual romp. (Review by Keith Millar)

This show is a little different from the normal fare one would expect to see at a Rhumbelow Theatre.

How different? Well, it is just a little bit naughty, a little bit sassy and sexy, a little bit of a tease, a little bit cheeky, a little bit spicy, a little bit risqué, a little bit comedic but the all-together it is a whole lot of fun.

There is a profusion of feathers, sequins, rhinestones, balloons and a snowstorm of glitter to go along with flashy fishnet stockings, garter belts, corsets and bodices.

In fact, the costumes are quite magnificent and a big highlight of the show.

And to top it all, there are plenty of G-strings and nipple caps on display. 

Burlesque is a form of entertainment art which was popular in the 1800’s. The shows would have comedy spoofs and variety acts and would typically include striptease.

In recent times there has been a resurgence of interest in the art form and companies such as Black Orchid Burlesque, which was formed in Cape Town in 2007 have emerged.

Black Orchid Burlesque presents an authentic burlesque show celebrating the true essence of the art form, using the glitz and glamour of yesteryear to take their audience on a journey of tastefully titillating dance acts.

Their ultimate aim is to empower women to exhibit their inner passion using an art form that does not devalue them.

The show currently running at the Rhumbelow Theatre at Tina’s Hotel in Kloof showcases the talents of some of the leading burlesque and boylesque artists from Cape Town and Johannesburg.

All use stage names selected by themselves and aimed at evoking the character they portray on stage. The cast for the show is compere Diva Disastar (the founder of Black Orchid Burlesque), dancers King St Fox, Dear James, Sapphire Flex, Pantapon Rose, and Louise St Savage and songbird Sapphire Supreme.

All the dancers appear in various sequences with evocative names such as Black Evil, Feather Fan Act, Bubbles and Burlesque. The Saloon Sessions and Trumpet Tease. All of them, by the end of their acts, are stripped down to G-strings and nipple caps.

Songbird Sapphire Supreme has a very good and powerful voice and entertains with When You’re Good To Mama from Chicago, the Marilyn Monroe classic Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend and Caro Emerald’s Liquid Lunch.

Diva Disaster provides the amusing chatter between acts, introduces the artists and gives some insight into the history of Burlesque as a performing art.

Black Orchid Burlesque is a titillating tease of a show. Don’t take your inhibitions with you and you are sure to enjoy this sexy and sensual romp.

My only beef is that the show needs direction. It is at times slow-moving and tedious between dance sequences. Also I think the compere can lessen her continual use of the term “Ladies and Germs.”

The show has an age restriction of 18 but you can see much worse any day on TV. Black Orchid Burlesque is on until April 7 with shows from Wednesday to Saturday at 20h00 and on Sunday at 14h00. (Venue opens 60 minutes before show for drinks)

Tickets R150 (R130 pensioners) and tables seat 6. NO UNDER 18s. (No alcohol or food may be brought on to the premises). Tickets are cash or EFT only. Secure parking is available. Booking is through Computicket or contact Roland (also for large group booking discounts of 20 or more) on 082 499 8636 or email: roland@stansell.za.net or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com/

Tina’s Hotel is situated at 4 Beryldene Road in Kloof. – Keith Millar

(Should you wish to dine before the show at Tina’s, it is recommended that you arrive no later than 90 min before show-time for the restaurant. An a-la-carte menu is available, and the Sunday buffet is R135 per head (R110 pensioners). Booking is essential as seating is limited. Payment for restaurant is cash, credit card or zapper. Contact 031 764 7843 or visit www.tinashotel.co.za/ Please indicate that you are a theatre booking when making your reservation.)