FESTIVAL CABARET | Reviews
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YANA ALANA: BETWEEN THE CRACKS Fierce commentary and intelligent musical numbers ●●●●●
She may be known in Australia as the queen of queer cabaret, but Yana Alana's name is not as prevalent in Edinburgh, despite her popularity around the world as a cult performer and diva extraordinaire. In Between the Cracks, she muses on topics
ranging from sexual politics to the state of her mental health, with her dynamic vocals backed by multi- instrumentalists Bec Matthews and Louise Goh, whose on-stage banter and asides with Ward add an extra element of hilarity and theatricality. Her self- deprecation and anxiety is coupled with a confidence that rings out in numbers like Gnarls Barkley’s ‘Crazy’ and her own stunning ‘I’m Blue’. She even blows her own horn at one point, literally. Clad in blue body paint, sparkly blue platform
wedges and a blue bouffant-style wig, performance artist Sarah Ward's character traverses territory that is both amusing and vital, confronting topics that force the audience to view a piece of themselves in this naked blue enigma. This debut is everything you'd want from a cabaret show and more; subversive, provocative and fiercely intelligent. (Arusa Qureshi) ■ Assembly Checkpoint, until 26 Aug (not 8, 13, 20), 8pm, £12–£13.
LADY RIZO Challenging mix of sequins and politics ●●●●●
Lady Rizo's voice packs a lot of power, and she commands the stage with all the prowess that a blonde bombshell in head-to-toe sparkles deserves. The show begins with a lot of promise, and her sexy, witty, domineering personality has the audience laughing and whistling approval . . . but then it all seems to get a bit serious. The bedazzled starlet initially promises a light-hearted
distraction from the current political and humanitarian crisis in America, but soon the performance takes on the form of a left-wing crusade. It's a noble call to anti-facist action, but it doesn't quite fit with the rest of this all-singing, all-dancing show. From criticising the second amendment, she breaks into a fabulous rendition of 'Bang Bang' by Nancy Sinatra. But perhaps that is exactly the point; the public
shouldn't be seeking distraction from what's happening across the world, but instead rising up in protest. At one point Rizo is visibly shocked and chastises the females in the audience for their failure to participate in any recent women's marches.
The audience leave, not knowing whether to sing, dance, feel ashamed or empowered to start plotting their next protest. (Clare McVay) ■ Assembly Hall, until 19 Aug (not 8, 13), 9.10pm, £14 (£12).
BRIEFS: CLOSE ENCOUNTERS Polished show celebrates tenth anniversary ●●●●●
Briefs, the alternative cabaret troupe from Australia, are celebrating ten years in the business this year and that means you can expect two things from them: a polished show and a massive crowd. Briefs have been at it for so long that the mixture of cabaret, circus, dance and comedy is technically stunning, conveys important messages and entertains in equal measures. Artistic director Fez Fa'anana plays the part of the fierce and sultry compère with attitude and hilariously guides the boys through the show. However, the stand-out performance is the emotionally raw, contemporary dance love-story between the masculine Thomas Gundry Greenfield and Harry Clayton-Wright in drag – a breathtaking look at an intimate human moment.
It feels timely that the group are using their platform
to urge people not to stay silent on social issues. However, the show’s theme of ‘coming from the future’ feels a bit unnecessary at times as the artistry speaks for itself. One slight quibble are the sightlines from the balcony, the obstructed view becoming an annoying distraction. Ultimately though, Briefs give a rousing performance. (Katharine Gemmell) ■ Assembly Hall, until 26 Aug (not 8, 13, 20), 7.15pm, £17.50—£19.50 (£16—£18).
YUMMY Powerhouse of drag, dance, circus, and music arrives in Edinburgh ●●●●●
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Yummy's arrival in Edinburgh could not have come at a better time, having already stormed both the Adelaide and Perth Fringes with their killer choreography and unconventional mix of drag, circus, dance and performance art. Featuring a all-star cast of performers including Valerie Hex, Jandruze, Zelia Rose, Hannie Helsden, Benjamin 'Bendy Ben' Hancock and hilarious MC Karen From Finance, Yummy plays on ideas of gender and queerness in a way that allows each act and each segment to communicate something distinct and radical.
From Jandruze making a sexy human sandwich with giant
slices of bread, cheese and tomatoes to death metal tap- dancing, black latex lingerie and horse masks galore, there are a plethora of ideas on display throughout. Karen even performs her own numbers, including a glorious lip-sync to Vanessa Carlton's 'A Thousand Miles'. The real pull of Yummy though is the show's mix of solo spots, duos and group numbers, with each performer bringing their own unique and quirky style to the line-up. Hancock's solo to Paloma Faith's 'Only Love' is a particularly stunning moment as he appears with a small screen fastened to his headdress which lip-syncs the words along to his meticulous movements.
Choreographer, drag queen and performer James Welsby (Valerie Hex) ultimately presents a production that is packed with the glittering fun of cabaret with elements of subversion that create a humorous and at times, touching take on the genre. A raucous mix of striptease, death-drops and hula- hoops, Yummy could be the best night out you have all August. (Arusa Qureshi) ■ Assembly Roxy, until 26 Aug (not 8, 14, 21), 9.40pm, £13–£14.
46 THE LIST FESTIVAL 8–15 Aug 2018