Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre’s 2018 season of theatre, art, film and more launched with glitter, circus and flamboyant costumes on Saturday 20th January. The audience was invited to step into ‘the weird zone’ with a night showcasing Sydney’s most popular and skilled neo-burlesque performers.
Situated on the banks of the Georges River, the monumental Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre building was formerly a 1950s power station. On approach, the large and robust oil and water tanks and bricks framed by concrete columns are nothing short of awe-inspiring. World Heritage listed yet a hidden gem of the Casula and Liverpool communities, the Arts Centre was transformed into an artistic and cultural hub from 1992.
The evening began with a formal opening and overview of the Arts Centre’s upcoming 2018 program. This scales from family-friendly Alice in Wonderland theatre through to modernised Shakespearean classics and all the way up to Burlesko Bizzaro. Importantly the 2018 season also supports young playwrights throughout the country, represented in ‘Intersection Chrysalis: written by the writers of the 2017 National Studio’.
Wine in hand, the audience was escorted into the majestic theatre hosted in the Arts Centre which seats over 300 people. Ceremonious red velvet-like curtains instantly captivated, particularly appropriate for the risqué and wild word of Burlesko Bizzaro. Host Glitta Supernova appeared on stage in a brief pink poodle get-up, greeting the audience in true doggy-style with tail wagging, tongue out, paws up and panting.
The first act was a tap-strip routine by the charismatic Betty Grumble. This was followed by an aerial hoop performance by The Amazing Ari who, wrapped in many layers of plastic, shimmered at every torque and turn. A highlight was the magical swamp world created by Kira Carden (Hu-La-La), a mythical creature who shed her wings to evolve into a disco hula hooping beauty. With tassels attached to surprising and unexpected body parts, Lillian Starr’s leather-bound militant act whipped the audience into obedient attention.
Polished circus performance, strip-poetry with a side of smutty humour made for an entertaining evening and a strong kick-off to Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre’s 2018 season.
To find out more, go to: http://www.casulapowerhouse.com/