BWW Reviews: GLORY BOX - The Burlesque Hour's Latest Treasure is Sexy, Twisted and So Much More ...

Finucane & Smith's GLORY BOX is the latest incarnation of The Burlesque Hour, the Australian cabaret that has gone on to redefine - defy even - the genre around the world.

Sexy, twisted, and at times very moving, I find myself requiring multiple adjectives to capture the essence of this show. I could add funny, confronting and slightly un-hinged, and I'd still only describe a portion of what happens when this GLORY BOX is opened.

In an underground salon of red lanterns and intimate tables, co-creator Moira Finucane's opening act sets the tone as she devours an apple so ferociously that I might still be removing pieces from my hair. For the uninitiated this might be the moment where any expectation of a traditional burlesque experience is also demolished. And from here the delights unfold!

There are nods to standard burlesque fare – Salome and her veils, a hula-hooping extravaganza, a body covered in balloons. But most acts veer off into their own delicious territory at a certain point, revealing intent beyond mere titillation.

Standouts include a besuited Anna Lumb on trapeze, Ursula Martinez' 'Ta-Dah!' moment with a red hanky (I watched so closely and still I can't see how!) and Maude Davey as a feathers and sparkles showgirl belting out Patti Smith's 'Gloria'.

And of course there is Finucane's now legendary tribute to the Water Wall at Melbourne's National Gallery that I won't spoil, other than to advise that those with a front row seat may experience more than just the best view on the night.

International cabaret star Meow Meow (witty and deliciously on point as a demanding diva) gave perhaps the line of the night when corralling audience participants to the stage for her performance. Handing out back-up dancing barbie dolls to each woman, she admonished any hesitation by providing the following tongue in cheek instruction –

"Don't worry! It's only theatre. It doesn't mean anything."

Thanks to Finucane and her fellow artistes I just might understand how burlesque as an art form can be meaningful. How when it manages to combine insolence with reverence, when it mixes satire with seduction so perfectly - it can in fact be glorious.

The Burlesque Hour: GLORY BOX until July 1

fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

GLORY BOX tickets can be purchased here. 

Jacqueline "Rock" Bublitz is a Melbourne-based writer who saw a local production of Annie aged 5, and was never quite the same. Since that first transformative experience she has been lucky enough to experience musical theatre all over the world. Many of her favourite productions have played right on her doorstep here in Melbourne, and she loves this about her creative home town. In addition to a day job in media, Rock is currently working on her first novel, 'body, remember', where she shamelessly mines the world of musical theatre for inspiration.

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