The performers of Dark Horse Cabaret are a somewhat disparate ensemble of performer/choreographers united under the creative direction of Natalie Hugill. Together they seek to redefine burlesque via the infusion of old fairy tales with a new dark twist, in the process bringing home a message of human fraility.

Grimm is a brave attempt at this dark fairy burlesque, and it certainly pleased the capacity opening night audience.

As Grimm opens, smoke gushes forth, and fingers of light project down into the audience, setting the stage for the twisted stories of our youth. From an oval hanging mirror above the stage, a disembodied Evil Queen introduces a context for each performance item.

Beautiful costuming  is an outstanding feature of the show, and even the Evil Queen appears quite ravishing from her suspended position. The charm of her presentation belies her evil soul.

Jess Sayer and Robin Kelly provide the introductory item with live music accompanying a melancholic version of ‘Bang Bang, she shot me down’. During a set of songs, items of costuming are added and removed, providing a taste of what is to come. Cinderella (Pandora Cherie) and Prince (not so) Charming (Ivan the Red) dance a striking, stripping duet with a degree of athleticism.

The boy that got away (from the Pied Piper of Hamelin) is a monologue spoken by Samuel Christopher. The content is dark, and fluctuates between stylised story-telling and a more personal narration, leaving the audience feeling slightly uncomfortable. There seems to be a missed opportunity here as ‘the boy’ could have roamed around to demonstrate his disturbed character, even going as far as interacting with the audience.    

The highlight of the evening is Chris Olwage’s The Youngest Swan Brother. This dance combines gymnastics with his own unique approach to ballet and is performed quite beautifully en pointe. Chris wears a stunning black tutu and little else. He is a delight to behold. Close on his heels, in the highlights, is the final item of the one hour cabaret, a seductive young Snow White via the voluptuous Leda Petit who dances and strips with beautiful timing, creating dramatic tension and bringing the show to a climax.!

The show contains plenty of strip, but little tease, so is less intimate than one might expect. However the catwalk staging works well and as an attempt at something different, this dark burlesque show is certainly entertaining.

Grimm runs from 22nd-24th August at the Westpoint Performing Arts Centre, 190 Meola Road, Western Springs.   

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