Cake – REVIEW
Reviewing the show Cake, which is part of this year’s Bondi festival, is actually rather tricky. It’s hard to explain just exactly what this show is. It is burlesque, it is vaudeville, it is crude, it is rude, it’s messy, it is uncouth, and it is deliciously fruity fun, and yet there are many other layers to this cake too!
Headlined by current drag darling (star of last season’s RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under) Kween Kong, the show is made up of an ensembled cast of magnificent misfits and talented temptresses of all genders, sexualities, and degrees of fabulousness.
It is as cheeky as it is action packed! There are a fair few blink-and-you’ll miss it (and just as many cover your eyes or you’ll wish you had) moments. Hula hoops, nipple tassels, spray cream, pool noodles and yes, cake, all make an appearance onstage at some point. Also, much to the audience’s delectation, the bum and boob count onstage is blissfully high!
Stand out and scene stealing mentions must go to the fabulous Memphis Mae who is expert in wrapping crowds around her cute little pinkie. This girl oozes both sexiness and talent. However, just as spectacular is Shona Conacher, whose grand finale striptease on a trampoline (you really have to see it for that to make sense) brought the house down! Whipping the crowd into a near hysterical frenzy whilst star-jumping on a trampoline; this particular number is definitely the cherry on this cake!
I do have to say, overall the show struggles to keep up that level of excitement, with bits that could definitely do with extra icing. Some acts engaged better than others. One performer putting out a cigarette on their tongue just didn’t connect with me or a lot of the excitable throng present, but that said, mostly, the late Friday night Bondi crowd happily devoured this slice of rich and colourful cake that was offered to them.
As we left, I jokingly asked the group of young women we shared a table with if they’d mind screaming non-stop into my other ear so they would balance out my now permanently damaged hearing! In return they excitedly offered me the condoms that were in their free show bags.
So, what is Cake? Well, it’s certainly sweet and sticky, might not be to everyone’s taste, but those that liked it absolutely loved it!
