BlakDouglas
Having been out of the country more often than not in the past years, I had not yet discovered the Sound Lounge, the Seymoure Centre’s cabaret room. While a room redesign of better floor, sexier decor and perhaps candles or flowers or a touch of sparkle would step it up in style, the idea is at least there with tables, bar (and charming bar tender JP) and it’s nice to be in a cabaret set up with a cool (but not too cool for school) crowd . Tonight, there’s even Australian stage legend Jeannie Lewis is in the house!
Velma Vegas is the host of the show- a very fun all dancing and prancing drag diva created by performer Jackie Vance, who makes it all happen with brother, producer/director Gavin Vance.
Vagas awakens our pulses with disco, smooths us out with kitsch lounge and makes us chuckle with some political spoofing about the “orange headed elephant in the room”. He’s quick and comic but also has a great voice and tickles and croons us through the show layered with various acts. The line-up changes nightly (see below) but always includes music and storytelling from the wonderful Blak Douglas on didgeridoo who talks us through some of the wonders of playing the traditional instrument and shows us how he learnt on a vacuum cleaner (very impressive!) and how to throw in some theatricalities (bare feet, face paint). He makes us relax, intrigue and want him to continue for a one man show.
But tonight’s about diverse pockets of entertainment. Simone Saunders delivers a slightly green but nonetheless very funny and unexpected stand up routine. Betty Grumble performs her signature outrageous, grotesque showgirl burlesque number and we are taken to town by the fabulous, hilarious Sydney cabaret diva Christa Hughes.
There’s a bit of audience participation but nothing scary – someone sings ABBA, there’s a quick quizz and a bald guy wins a Tony & Guy hair treatment (and kindly gives it away) . Then everyone hangs out to mingle after.
All in all a great night and since the line up changes, I’ll probably be going back for more! If you’re in Sydney, treat yourself to a chuckle at your choice of the dates below.
Christa Hughes
February 17 Liesel Badorrek as Lil Piggy Lil, Christa Hughes & Sarah Birdgirl!
February 24 Vashti Hughes as Voice Coach Larry and Dyan Tai!
March 3 Lucy Suze Taylor as Cher and Martin Charles Badway!
The Vagas Lounge, produced by Screamers is part of the 2017 Mardi Gras season at the
The Sound Lounge at The Seymour Centre.
All shows begin at 8pm.
Book tickets online HERE. Or phone: 9351 7940
