Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens

Blak Yak's Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens is completely immersive theatre, as Phoenix Theatre's venue - The Memorial Hall, in Hamilton Hill, is transformed into cosmic cabaret bar, Saucy Jack's. Played essentially in the round, the audience become patrons at the bar and part of the action.

This is a fabulous looking production, much of this thanks to stunning costumes and wigs by Lynda Stubbs. Gorgeously and gloriously glitzy, the costumes are a central part of the plot and a treat within themselves.

The cast are clearly having fun and this gives the show a warm vibe. Tom Hutton clearly revels in the role of bad boy, Saucy Jack, while his offsider Mitch Maypole is nicely played by James Hynson. Every space mystery needs a doctor with an accent, and Stuart Porter plays Dr. Von Wackoff with enthusiasm, in his first musical.

The Space Vixens are a big haired, glitter booted delight. Joanna Tyler sings gorgeously as glamorous leader Jubilee Climax, Therese Cruse is sweetly kawaii as good-girl Anna Labia and Nicquelle Rhodes reveals a gorgeous smoky jazz voice as the sexy Bunny Lingus.

Sarsi Grace is sensuous, surprising and strong as Smuggler Chesty Prospects, Joshua Towns charms as Booby Shevalle and Sherryl Spencer makes the most of her brief appearance as Vulva Savannah. Audience favourite (and deservedly so) was probably the very sweet boy-next-door Sammy Sax, played beautifully (both as an actor and a saxophonist) by Lee Wilson.

The small ensemble - Kate Lloyd, Christie Strauss, Tayla Howard and Rachel McCallum, with pit singer Cailin O'Neil, work hard throughout.

Mention must be made of Alex Coutts Smith's great technical plot and clever lighting design, which really helped the audience to follow the action through the performance space as well as being funky and atmospheric.

The show isn't perfect. Some of the dialogue feels stilted (perhaps unsurprisingly given the absurdity of the plot), jokes don't always land and the action doesn't always flow smoothly, but the singing was strong throughout and the show has great heart.

Lovers of The Jetsons, Burlesque, Rocky Horror and Red Dwarf will like this quirky mash-up of genres and if you go to check out the lashes, lycra and latex alone you will not be disappointed. A fun night.

Kimberley Shaw