“We have weirdos, freaks, lovemakers and even some heartbreakers. We’re going to show some leg and make a shimmy.”
If that doesn’t make you want to snap up a ticket to one of the hottest shows in the Fringe, then read on and be ready to be convinced! Red Light Confidential is a showcase of burlesque, circus, cabaret, music, comedy and magic and is one of the most popular and well known touring variety shows in the country.
Sam About Town chatted recently with producers Kelly Ann Doll and Michael Wheatley.
SAT: The type of acts and experience level of performers in a Red Light Confidential show is so varied and yet you manage to coordinate it into one cohesive show. Could you tell us more about this format that has “newbies rubbing shoulders with seasoned pros”?
RLC: We started as an industry night, we wanted to provide a safe space for performers to try out new acts and for newbies to get a handle on the ropes.
SAT: With such a variety of performers, do you find there is a creative exchange of ideas including mentoring from the more experienced performers and fresh energy and new ideas from the emerging acts?
RLC: Definitely. There are so many connections that have been made from artists meeting and networking at the show over the years and we’ve watched people go from being stage kittens to successful name artists.
SAT: I’ve heard that I should, “Expect the unexpected, because no one ever knows what to expect at Red Light Confidential”. Could you share an example or two of your more unusual acts or outrageous moments?
RLC: There have been so many crazy moments that’s kept even us the producers on the edge of seat over the years. A couple of stand out moments include the first time we had Betty Grumble perform with us, before she was the superstar we know today, and we carried her out onto the stage in a metal rabbit cage and she did some interesting things with a chocolate bar. We were also arguably the first ever variety show in the world to produce a virtual reality edition of the show. You can view that here… Red Light Confidential 360 VR
SAT: Your shows are a delight to all the senses, with colourful and beautiful costuming, music, cheekiness, sensuality and an electric atmosphere. How do you plan the tempo and energy of a show such as this?
RLC: We have a standard format where we open the show usually with an original music solo or duo, a set of performers, another music act for the intermission, the second set with a headliner to top it off then a DJ hits the decks and then it’s everyone’s turn to dance. We have a great selection of hosts who understand our ethos and really keep the energy sizzling all night.
SAT: Your Adelaide Fringe run will be performed at A Club Adelaide. How did you locate this venue and what attracted you to it?
RLC: We’ve always enjoyed the freedom a licensed venue gives us as opposed to the hubs and tents. The A Club, with the help of the incredible Kerry Marsh, has been hosting some great cabaret shows lately and we just couldn’t resist being involved with such an exciting and driven venue and team.
SAT: Will you be having guest spots during this season of shows?
RLC: We have a small skeleton team that tours with us or has worked with us but every show is different with guests from all over the country and overseas. With this being our third year touring now it’s becoming like a family reunion that gets bigger every year.
SAT: As producers, you are both award winning and successful individually. What do each of you uniquely bring to the partnership?
RLC: Kelly has been touring and performing across the globe for some time now and her network of artists and the respect they have for draws the best of the best to our stable. Michael has been one of Sydney’s leading entertainment consultants since the early nineties. Between the two of us we put together a very special show that has a rock solid reputation of being wild, crazy and super slick all at once.
SAT: Beginning in Sydney 6 years ago, Red Light Confidential has toured extensively around Australia. Do the audiences react differently from city to city?
RLC: Apart from the small idiosyncrasies that every city in Australia has it’s always the same reaction, “Wow! What an incredible night!”. People often come to more than one show.
SAT: After the Adelaide Fringe, what is ahead for Red Light Confidential?
RLC: We’ll be heading home to Sydney and continuing our monthly program as well as our monthly Melbourne night as well. Oh and getting ready for Fringe 2020!
Red Light Confidential is playing various dates from 16 February, at:
Main Room at A Club Adelaide
109 – 111 Waymouth St, Adelaide, SA, 5000
Tickets and more information here.
Red Light Confidential website and social media details:
Website
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
