Dizney Debauched (Bad Guys)

‘Burlesque is an art form known for parody, satire, and, in its popular iteration, suggestive, teasing striptease. It originated as a form of caricature mocking serious subjects, literature, or social norms, often combining bawdy humour with elaborate costumes.’

Ardent Artiste Productions are to be congratulated for their inclusivity of age, sexual orientation and mobility.

Dizney Debauched brings us a collection of our favourite Disney bad guys (or should I say bad girls) and adds their own touch of burlesque.

Or host “Hades” is a creature from the underworld complete with a purple and black dress that is literally steamy. (Fog can be seen coming out from sections of her dress) She is menacing, naughty and more than able to control a crowd of Friday night Fringe goers.

She carries a clipboard with an evil eye that has the running order of the show. Her task is to warn us of impending nudity and bad language and to ‘warm us up’ for her collection of villains.

Her troup are ‘takes’ on the original Disney characters. There is a character based on Cruella DeVille, who triumphantly kicks a toy dalmatian into the audience before removing her clothing, all the while sneering.

Then there is Mother Gothel who tells us her version  of the story of Rapunzel in lip-synched song. Two characters based on LeFou and Gaston from Beauty and the Beast present a number that sees Gaston stripping to gold glitter pasties and his servant to briefs with ‘I love Gaston’ emblazoned on the back.

Shere Khan the ginger cat adds baton twirling and ‘Eye of the Tiger’ to her routine. The sea witch based on Ursula from The Little Mermaid uses two of her tentacles as gigantic tassels before stripping and singing with a ‘big’ voice.

A character based on Maleficent (complete with the trademark horns) and a green illuminated staff performs a clever routine to the song ‘Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves’.

My favourite villain for the night is the Queen of Hearts and her card attendant (male) whose dress is made completely of playing cards singing ‘Painting My Roses Red’. A clever act with a clever ending which I will not reveal here, you will need to see it.

My two reservations with this show have nothing to do with the performers. Adding business while discarded costumes are being collected would tighten up the run of the show and the use of a clipboard puts a barrier between the host and the audience. Hades is a very competent ad libber and as good as the written script is, it would be better learnt or improvised.

That being said, the audience at Dizney Debauched had a ball, hooting and hollering and cheering each performer on, getting totally involved, and that’s going to the Fringe is all about!

Barry Hill OAM

Click here to read more Adelaide Fringe reviews