Vashti Hughes Photo Kellie Lafranchie
Six Quick Chicks is a collective of quality cabaret femmes presenting engaging, compelling and intelligent performance in a vaudeville style atmosphere.
On Saturday 19th Feb the line-up was fine and wonderfully suited to Marrickville’s gorgeous Red Rattler.
Edwina Blush, who I last saw about 15 years ago somewhere in Glebe, was a delight. Spoken word and jazzy vocals collide with clever, crafted lyrics and charismatic performance. A more intimate lighting and perhaps introduction music would have been nice for the edges but nevertheless her strong stage presence exuded and seduced.
Lucy Suze Taylor worked the audience for a British via Mumbai yoga class (in neck brace) and was witty and fun.
Lillian Star styled and danced herself every so impressively in drag that many thought she was actually a man and her transformation for the curtain call was almost an act in itself!
Queen of Australian burlesque Imogen Kelly, as gorgeous as ever, presented an air hostess number with an Australian twist and was a treat to watch. With every second recent burlesque performer using feathered fans, it’s a priviledge to watch the delicate, skilled and apparently effortless moves of a pro integrating these traditional props in innovative ways seamlessly into a storyline.
Liesel Knievel’s character Dr. Sweetpea McGee compared the night. A competent and strong performer with high energy and twisted humour, she did a good job- however I personally would have enjoyed her more as one of the acts and a compare who I hope to come into the audience- not scared they may (her spiel being an oddball self trained surgeon experimenting with potions and exchanging human and animal body parts including her own)! She pulls through however with her vivacity.
The highlight of the night for me in terms of laugh- out- loud humour was Vashti Hughes’ newsreader, a sketch parody discussing the sexualisation of female newsreaders. With wild, limb flying dance moves to a bass heavy news theme as punctuation, Hughes- clad in mini-skirt, tight fitted suit top, red scarf, thick black rimmed glasses and heavy red lip stick- reads bulletins while pouting and twisting her mouth and body provocatively. With each news chorus, clothes are removed and the dancing becomes more stylised and sexual. It’s ridiculous, provocative and hilarious social commentary.
The show was followed by wild musical duo White Knuckle Fever. While I could appreciate their performance energy, call me old fashion but I prefer a jazzy or loungy post- show ambiance that opens up discussions inspired by the performances with present and new company. Luckily however Six Quick Chicks perform with a variety of programmations and venues and so caters to different tastes. Catch them tonight at SLIDE or follow them for other performances on their site. You’re bound to have fun.
