Yummy Deluxe is a glorious, fun, sexy, entertaining, superb, deft-defying, hilarious, wonderful, beautiful, undeniable example that the thesaurus does not contain enough superlatives when you must describe the qualities of incredible art like this show.
Yummy Deluxe heals the sick. Yummy Deluxe takes loaves and fishes and feeds thousands. Yummy Deluxe knocks on your door and asks you, “Have you heard the good news? I exist.”
Within the Garden of Unearthly Delights lay The Box – a large cube with only a few touches of pink neon and silver strips to suggest the exquisite theatrical metallurgy the audience would be exposed to inside. And what an hour!
A mixture of favourite acts, along with some new vignettes and performers, Yummy Deluxe took the crowd by the lapels and did not let go from beginning til end. A slightly smaller cast, they were no less incredible: Valerie Hex was MC partly out of necessity – but it was tremendous to see more of her on-stage.
Hannie Helsden, whose joy could power a third-world country, was fantastic as always; while Zelia Rose was recently declared by 21st Century Burlesque Magazine as the number 1 influential burlesque performer in the world and her phenomenal routines only confirmed their decision.
James Andrews was fun and flirty and a delight to watch; Jarrod Dewey’s strength and grace in front of the audience and above it on a trapeze was stunning; while Joni’s powerful voice held things together with vocals and song as pieces moved into the next. You will leave absolutely satisfied and absolutely wanting more.
YUMMY DELUXE
The Box at The Garden of Unearthly Delights, Rundle Park, Adelaide
Performance: Saturday 23 February 2019
Season continues to 17 March 2019
Bookings: www.adelaidefringe.com.au
For more information, visit: www.yummytheshow.com for details.
Image: Hannie Helsden (supplied)
Review: David Collins