Melbourne Reviews

Two great divas of the stage graced the recently relocated Butterfly Club last night. Spurred on by the sell-out success of 2010/11 cabaret Yummy, Sally Bourne and Susan Ann Walker have created an outstanding new production.

Laced up into their corsets, the ever-topical Yummy girls, have taken Melbourne’s current obsession with Burlesque and added their own brand of humour and class to the art of tease.

Between the two, they have an impressive resume, from Bourne’s first appearance at age 12 in the Australian production of Annie to Walker’s most recent stint as Gymnasia opposite Geoffrey Rush in A Funny thing Happened on the way to the Forum, these great dames of theatre keep things fresh in The Yummy Burlesque Hour.

The sold out performance on a sweltering Melbourne evening didn’t deter Bourne and Walker from kicking it up a notch with their incredible harmonies and irresistible humour.

Both Yummy girls have an innate sense of when to cross the line into smut and impeccable comedic timing. The performance twists between delightful decadence and downright debauchery.

It’s quite a feat to achieve the kind of intimacy with an audience that Bourne and Walker do, while relaying anecdotes of life, career and family (incontinence advertisements and children who have just learned the word C**t) both women have such a presence and warmth that it is impossible not to be charmed by them.

Regardless of if they’re playing Broady bogans, Brighton babes, or the hottest attraction on the burlesque scene, there is no denying these women are stars.

Keeping it short and sweet, The Yummy Burlesque Hour is on for a limited season at the Butterfly Club. I highly recommend catching these two “revealing” burlesque performers in a wonderful piece of original Australian theatre.


The Yummy Burlesque Hour

Venue: The Butterfly Club | Carson Place off Little Collins Street 3000
Dates: 19 – 22 December 2013
Tickets: $25 – $28
Bookings: thebutterflyclub.com