After Hours Cabaret Club
“Outlandish and outrageous, this awe-inspiring and lively collection of cabaret stars will have you gasping, laughing, applauding and stomping your feet in appreciation.” So began my 5 star review of After Hours Cabaret Club last year. I spoke with performer and producer, the incredible Bettie Bombshell to find out what is in store for us this year.
SAT: Bettie, thank you for taking the time to chat. Your show was one of the stand out hits for me last year and I am very excited that you are back in 2019. What can audiences expect this year?
BB: Thank you for taking the time to chat to little old me! This year the After Hours Cabaret Club is BIGGER than ever! We are taking over the Wonderland Spiegeltent at our favourite carnie hub Gluttony every Thursday, Friday & Saturday. We’re bringing our 5 piece live band, with brand new acts, brand new tracks, and more late night debauchery than we know what to do with! It’s going to be one whisky fuelled party, you really don’t want to miss this.
After Hours is debuting it’s sister show .CHURCH. at the Adelaide Fringe Festival this year. It’s a one night only Midnight Mass with our most queerly beloved and you can expect a truly religious experience. It’s going to be such a busy season, and we can’t wait!
SAT: Cabaret queen and super talented, Tash York, hosted the show last year. She’s had an amazing year since with success after success. Will we be treated to her compering and her fantastic vocals again?
BB: The super star that is Tash York will always be the soul of the After Hours Cabaret Club! Tash has that certain sparkle that makes the show come alive, and who could go past that outstanding voice! As usual she will charm the absolute pants off you with her witty banter & mind blowing vocals, but watch out, she loves a bit of audience interaction. You can check her out in her solo shows Badass & Petty Bitches during the Adelaide Fringe at Gluttony.
SAT: You have received many 5 star reviews and fantastic accolades. Do you feel the pressure to deliver again this year? How do you maintain such a high standard?
BB: We have been so fortunate to receive handfuls of glowing 5 star reviews all around the world. Our cast is a collection of glamorous beauties, the most fabulous freaks, and circus superstars from all corners of the country. There really isn’t any pressure to ‘deliver’ year after year as we are so fortunate to have an INCREDIBLE pool of talent here in Australia. Finding unique artists to join the club is an absolute joy, and my favourite part! My problem is I want to book them all!
SAT: How do you keep it exciting and fresh for people who have seen your show before?
BB: The After Hours Cabaret Club is backed by an electrifying live band, with a sensational live singer, and explosive live artists, meaning no two shows are ever the same! That is beautiful thing about live performance is, ANYTHING can happen. We have a cast of rotating artists every week, with a few surprises up or sleeves so keeping things fresh and exciting is an absolute breeze. Remember folks, anything goes After Hours…
SAT: This year you are playing at the beautiful and magnificent Spiegeltent. How do you feel about that and what makes this venue so fantastic?
BB: There is something just so magical about a Spiegeltent isn’t there. The iconic history, the old world glamour, and for that small moment in time you really are transported back to a bygone era as soon as you walk through those wooden doors. It’s a touch of class, with that debaucherous carnie vibe that you really can’t beat.
We are so thrilled to be back in the Wonderland Spiegeltent, and we can’t wait to get up to all sorts of no good in this stunning 350 seat piece of history! Shhh, don’t tell the owners.
SAT: What are some of the highlight acts we can get excited about?
BB: Every single act is a highlight! We don’t have headliners in our shows because it’s impossible to separate them. We have our superstar MC Tash York, our pinup up pocket rocket Kelly & Doll performing her signature style of show stopping burlesque, circus icon Reuben DOTDOTDOT and his devilish charm, as well as myself serving you all sorts of debauchery and whisky soaked antics.
You will see Adelaide locals Miss Curvella, Leopard Lass & Malachi Frost, as well as the international super star all the way from the UK, Lilikoi Kaos!
Not to mention our favourite vaudevillian David Splatt and his sidekick Frankie Bones, the glitter rainbow herself Ruby Slippers and the stunning Memphis Mae & Diesel Darling from Sydney!
SAT: I have seen you perform. Your passion is electric and your skill and technique covetable. How do you provide such energy and commitment night after night? And how on earth do you do those splits!
BB: I have been a dancer for around 20 years now, and it’s the thing I love most. I trained extensively in ballet, acro, contemporary, jazz, calisthenics and everything in between! I am still a dance teacher to this day! The energy I exude whilst performing comes straight from within me. There is no place I would rather be than on the stage night after night, and I love that you can see that when I perform!
SAT: As well as being a performer, your production company, Highway Robbery Productions is responsible for this show. Could you tell us more about that?
BB: I created Highway Robbery Productions a few years ago as my producing hat was growing so quickly. I needed an umbrella for my fabulous events and after hours of brainstorming I created this cheeky business name. I do perform in my shows, as well as produce them because I love to be involved in every aspect of the work. It’s a very challenging task, but I love it!
SAT: What are you looking forward to most about performing at this year’s Adelaide Fringe?
BB: Fringe is one of the most glorious times of the year! It’s a small window of the year where artists can really run wild with their creations and have the ability to network with people from all over the world. I am looking forward to meeting new people, seeing innovative and incredible artwork and smashing our the biggest season of the After Hours Cabaret Club we’ve ever done!
After
Hours Cabaret Club plays various dates throughout the Fringe at
Wonderland Spiegeltent at
Gluttony, Rymill Park /
Mullawirraburka, Corner of East Terrace and Rundle Rd, Adelaide
Tickets and dates here
https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/after-hours-cabaret-club-af2019
A video to whet your appetite
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HRWZ-iJa3o
Facebook page and events page
https://www.facebook.com/afterhourscabaretclub/
https://www.facebook.com/events/313201999272107/
Read my review from last year here:
https://www.samabouttown.com/adelaide-fringe-2018/after-hours-cabaret-club-adelaide-fringe-review-5-stars/
