Bent Burlesque @ Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras

An orgy of glamour and daring, a diverse kaleidoscope of identities, bodies and gender expressions dotted with sequins, feathers and bare nipples… The energy Bent Burlesque brought to the inaugural weekend of the 2019 Mardi Gras is hard to pin down, but truly something to behold. 

Last year’s festivities comparatively played it rather safe, with the aftermath of the plebiscite still fresh, a mainstream-friendly narrative of the gay experience had to be upheld. This year, an eclectic squad of gorgeous queers busted onto the stage of the Seymour Centre Festival Hub, tearing down every known norm of gender and sexuality in their way, and wholly embodying this year’s festival theme: “Fearless.”

Hostess Yana Alana was our guide, a diva in the truest sense of the word and a juggernaut of Australian cabaret, commanding a sumptuous bouquet of the creme de la creme of international queer cabaret acts. From the most exquisitely gender-bent male performance artists you’ve ever seen, to a pregnant burlesque queen, Bent Burlesque had it all. 

The greatest crop of talent came direct from the Vienna Boylesque Festival - Jacques Patriaque (Vienna), Mr Gorgeous (New York), Isaiah Esquire and Jonny Nuriel (Portland) - along with Fancy Piece, Jess Love, Rhys Lightning, Trigger Happy, Izohnny, Lillian Starr, Bunni Lambada and Amazing Ari. 

Alana herself hit the stage tits akimbo and served up everything from biting satire to one of the most incredibly powerful singing voices you’ve ever heard live, and a particularly “cheeky” impersonation of our most current Prime Minister singing the praises of the great “Liberal Farty”. 

Under the direction of Imogen Kelly, Bent Burlesque provided the production value, polish and talented skill of a big-budget cabaret show along with the intimacy, daring and punk-rock queer family feels of an indie gig down at a local pub. No small feat, and a hugely motivational kick-off to “Gay Christmas”.