There is something that feels festive about being under a big top tent. With LASSÙ the festivities include amazing physical feats, burlesque stage ware and ribald interludes. There was also a looseness that was in contrast to the slick presentation of other events of this ilk.

The lights came down to show an illuminated set that mimicked a cowboy bar from the future. One that served delights that resided in the dark recesses of your mind. The displays of human strength showed true dedication to the craft and much time spent in the gym. It was all filtered through a bawdy mindset.

The pacing of the night was little lopsided with the most intense feats filling the first half while the energy drifted a bit in the second act. It was still a night to be remembered and the stand out of the night was the fire eater who did amazing things with that primal element.

LASSÙ Cosmic Cabaret is currently playing in Brisbane until 27 September before hitting up Central Coast from 3 October 2025!
Rob Hudson

LASSÙ Cosmic Cabaret
Brisbane – 19 to 27 September – Victoria Park, Gilchrist Avenue, Sprint Hill
Central Coast – 3 to 26 October 2025 – Gosford Waterfront
www.lassutheshow.com.au

Perched on the galaxy’s edge, where space cowboys, alien drifters, and the legendary Rodeo Sisters dazzle with out-of-this world acts you Rodeo Clown Rusty takes us on a journey through the golden days of LASSÙ, determined to revive the magic that once filled the saloon.

Seventh-generation circus performer and producer, Merrik Ashton, grew up surrounded by the unique lifestyle of circus performers, and has known nothing but the thrill of performance and travel. The performing arts are literally in his blood, and he is thrilled to be travelling the country sharing this new work.

“This show is something truly special. Audiences can expect a thrilling, risqué circus experience that blends modern spectacle with traditional artistry – all performed in our bespoke big top – allowing an intimate yet exhilarating environment to witness every daring feat up close!” said Ashton.

“Climb aboard the rocket ship – you will love the journey” – Scenestr

LASSÙ’s Creative Director is the Helpmann Award-winning choreographer Mitchell Woodcock, one of Australia’s most sought-after creative minds, known for his extensive work across entertainment. He has created performances for over 50 national and international artists, including Kylie Minogue, Rita Ora, and Meghan Trainor. Other credits choreography for the Paper Dolls series for Paramount+, as well creative director for The Voice, Australian Idol, and major global events like the ICC T20 World Cup Opening Ceremony and the FIFA World Cup Closing Ceremony.

Immerse yourself in a story where past and future collide in a spectacular, risqué circus experience.

LASSÙ Cosmic Cabaret
19 to 28 September
Victoria Park, Gilchrist Avenue, Sprint Hill
www.lassutheshow.com.au

Choreographer, dancer and fan, Larissa McGowan uses Cher’s iconic figure as a totem for exploring the reinvention of the universal aging female artist.

Cher is an inspired mash-up of gender, power and popular culture; a self-discovery of epic proportions; a headfirst dive into the artist’s path to immortality.

“After a nuclear holocaust, all that will be left are cockroaches and Cher.” Jimmy James

Cher
16 – 19 November 2022
Brisbane Powerhouse
wwwbrisbanepowerhouse.org

Don’t miss the hottest ticket in town this summer where the queerest, dirtiest, and wildest circus, comedy, burlesque, drag, and cabaret acts let loose, dripping in sweat and backed by a live band.

Hosted by internationally renowned cabaret icon Reuben Kaye “the evil love child of Liza Minnelli and Jim Carrey” (British Theatre Guide), you’ll be guided through a diverse line up of thrilling entertainment including the bewitching burlesque star Jacqueline Furey, Australia’s much-loved nightingale Tina Del Twist, premier drag hip hop trio Luna THICC and the THICC Shake Crew, and award-winning beatboxer Hope One. This stellar line up is also joined by the enigmatic Brisbane contortionist and aerialist Ashleigh Roper, and professional pole dancer extraordinaire Charlie Love.

See our iconic Cremorne Theatre transform into a speakeasy where you can sip signature cocktails and schmooze over charcuterie^^.

Get ready for an adults only night of filthy frivolity and a smorgasbord of talent. The revolution starts this January.

The Kaye Hole
6 January – 12 February 2022
Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, Brisbane
www.qpac.com.au

This is cabaret as you’ve never seen it before!

Bigger & Blacker is a comedy cabaret guaranteed to get you laughing, thinking and shimmying in your seats over one action-packed hour of entertainment.

Steven Oliver, the star of ABC’s hit television series Black Comedy, is fresh and fabulous in the world premiere production, based on his own life.

Bigger & Blacker combines comedy and contemplation with saucy stories, reflections on love and loss and a candid look at the downside of fame.

As well as a seasoned performer, Oliver is a talented songwriter whose original score runs from perky pop to urban rap to lilting lullabies.

Throw in a disco ball, dance breaks and spicy banter between Oliver and his on-stage companion, musician Michael Griffiths, and you’re guaranteed a fun night out.

Bigger & Blacker
8 – 27 March 2021
La Boite, Brisbane
www.laboite.com.au

She invites you, her party guests, into the depths of her three hearts. Through song, storytelling and ocean-themed everything she weaves together a tale of love, loss, longing and legends of amphibious family histories.

An exploration into our need for human connection, it asks: how can we transform our pain and fear into vulnerability and courage allowing us to be imperfectly human, together?

Awesome Ocean Party was nominated for Best Cabaret at Melbourne Fringe 2016 and features original music by Nathan Stoneham (Underground and The Dokboki Box), and is created and performed by acclaimed theatre maker and actor Giema Contini (The Lost Lending Library, The Arrival, Young Hearts Run Free).

This is a fun, quirky and poignant adventure that will blow your expectations out of the water.

Awesome Ocean Party
Brisbane Powerhouse
21 – 24 November, 2019
www.brisbanepowerhouse.org

Cabaret De Paris is a stage spectacular celebrating old-fashioned showgirl glamour combined with the skill of adagio dancers, aerial pole artistry, comedy circus performers, quick change performers, illusionists and of course the famous French Cancan Dancers! (please note: the 2pm show on Saturday will be covered, while the two evening performances are topless)

Australian born and trained Marissa Burgess, the longest-serving principal performer in the Moulin Rouge’s 120-year history, stars in the show. The legendary showgirl, with a string of accolades to her name, became the toast of Paris and the subject of many French TV talk shows and a US documentary. Marissa will be joined by Sunshine Coast superstar, and fellow former Moulin Rouge star, Morgan Kenny together with the crème de la crème of showgirls, with dancers who have graced the stages of Moulin Rouge, The Lido and other French cabaret revues also featuring in the 90-minute production.

The glittering show, featuring a cast of 18, will include over a quarter of a million dollars’ worth of lavish costumes crafted in traditional Parisian style, with more feathers, sequins, rhinestones and jewels than ever before (some covering barely anything)!!

Cabaret de Paris is choreographed by Todd Patrick, one of Australia’s dance leaders who began his formidable career with Disney, before working for Versace, Dior, Issey Miyaki, Gucci and Chanel, across Europe and Asia. As a dancer he worked internationally, one of the highlights being the principal in The Lido in Paris.

Additionally, acclaimed illusionist and Australia’s Got Talent finalist Michael Boyd will perform some of his greatest illusions, mind-boggling disappearances and magic including a sensational levitation illusion performed with Marissa whilst she is singing!

Cabaret De Paris has already played to sell-out crowds across Australia and internationally and promises to bring the elegance and glamour of Paris to Brisbane this winter.

Cabaret De Paris
Playhouse, QPAC
Friday July 5 @ 7:30pm
Saturday July 6 @ 2pm and 7:30pm
qtix.com.au

La Silhouette is a cabaret club; a maze of mirages where myriad mysterious shapes pull you into dark corners and hidden rooms. Here, the shape of Brisbane’s queer history is brought to life by eight people whose spirits suffer all, celebrate all and endure all across decades of hiding, rioting and retribution.

On evenings like this, a drag queen may take you into her dressing room and whisper secrets. You may find yourself talking to the police on behalf of a door man who has fallen ill. Perhaps the proprietor will show you to her VIP room for a rare dram and a game of dice.

This is La Silhouette, an immersive performance that shines a light on the past and into the future.

La Silhouette has received support from Backbone, Metro Arts and House Conspiracy for the creation of this work.

La Silhouette
27–30 June, 2019
Brisbane Powerhouse
www.brisbanepowerhouse.org

Mixing up elements of cabaret, burlesque, music, physical theatre and dance in a wild cavalcade of bright colours and big energy, Hot Brown Honey shrinks a big room down to the intimacy of a friend’s living room. A very groovy friend with hip-hop, James Brown and Living Colour spinning round and round and round.

Presenting their ideas in a confrontation way with the shake of the hip and a sly wink, the seven women make it very clear that they are not going to take anything but total immersion from members of the audience and they succeed at this magnificently. Even man bun dude who was surely surly to start the night ended up with happy feet.

As part of the WOW Festival, that’s the Women Of The World Festival, that is happening right now and runs until April 8 at The Brisbane Powerhouse, Hot Brown Honey gets the mix just right and will fill the night with sticky sweet goodness. Their limited run ends on Saturday the 7th of April. Don’t miss the chance to let those oh so powerful women expand your world.

Hot Brown Honey
04 – 07 APRIL, 2018
Powerhouse Theatre, Brisbane
www.brisbanepowerhouse.org

In 2018, the virtuoso will bring his two-part solo piano show to Capital Cities around the country, delivering a high-energy rock performance using the intimacy of just a piano. For the first half of the show, Folds will curate a playlist armed with a songbook spanning his entire career, likely to include hits like ‘Brick’, ‘Rockin’ The Suburbs’ and ‘One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces’.

In the concert’s second half, Folds will hand over the reins to his fans for a Paper Aeroplane Request set, during which audience members will be encouraged to write their song requests onto a piece of paper, to be folded into a paper plane and launched onto the stage on cue. Folds will then randomly select and perform the songs requested.

Ben Folds Australian 2018 Tour
February 01 – Sydney Opera House, SYDNEY
February 02 & 04 – The Tivoli, BRISBANE
February 06 – Sydney Opera House, SYDNEY
February 07 – Canberra Theatre Centre, CANBERRA
February 09 – Festival Theatre, ADELAIDE
February 11 – Perth Festival, PERTH
February 13-14 – Theatre Royal, HOBART
February 16-17 – Melbourne Zoo, MELBOURNE
www.benfolds.com