REVIEW: The Red Room at The Concourse Lounge

Review by Michelle Sutton

Va Voom Productions presents The Red Room, a cabaret and burlesque revue for one night and one night only at the intimate Concourse Lounge. The burlesque and cabaret review features stunning vocalists, burlesque artists and exhilarating ensemble dance numbers. The show brought together the best of seasoned and fresh talent for an extraordinary night of fun and an escape for the audience into a gorgeous fantasyland of glamour, elegance and tease. 

The space at the Concourse Lounge was transformed for the night into a glamorous speakeasy and the vibes were high with low-lighting and cafe-style tables to create an intimate setting ready for a theatrical experience like no other. Reece Nelson’s silky voice kicked off the night and continued to enthral the audience with a uniquely smooth tone that was enjoyable throughout the evening. Karess Moi kept things moving with her years of experience and professionalism clearly evident. Vocalist Hayley Louise delivered impressive vocals and had her own standout moments. The talented vocalists sang all the cabaret classics that one would expect and each had their own moment to shine in the spotlight. Burlesque artist Jackie Oh! performed a stunning number behind the curtain which showcased their stunning lines, poise and grace. Tatiana Rose brought her signature vintage flair to the stage, with several mesmerising, superbly thought out and executed numbers showing her precision and range.

The talented dancers in the ensemble included Orana, Elliot Harris and Iris Miller. The ensemble numbers were a lot of fun, with different aesthetics and genres to keep the audience on their toes. Choreography of the ensemble numbers was surprising and playful. Gracie Bang Bang brought her old Hollywood inspired burlesque to the stage of The Red Room and had the crowd eating out of the palm of her hand with her uniquely commanding and playful stage presence. She showed promise and potential to be one of the most exciting new artists in the burlesque scene. Talented showgirl Lily Belle performed a mesmerising number with feathers and showed her true star power. 

The creative lighting design worked to further enhance the performances, adding a sense of mystery, intrigue and drama. The revue featured many different acts, including burlesque, feather dance, and pole. Every artist had the opportunity to showcase their individual star quality and technical skills. The costumes across the night dazzled, with sequins and feathers and diamonds galore. The bright bold colours of the gowns blended seamlessly with the lighting design to create a lavish visual experience for the audience. Costumes were inspired by vintage silhouettes as well as rock n' roll, 70s and more modern influences.

The Red Room by Va Voom Productions is a sumptuous, truly dazzling experience for the audience, providing an intoxicating escape into grandeur and hedonism for the night. The Red Room brought a flair of pleasure and elegance desperately needed to the suburb of Chatswood. It was a wonderful showcase of some of the most exciting established and emerging burlesque and cabaret artists in Australia. I recommend you buy a ticket when The Red Room comes to a city near you. 

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