Last Saturday night the iconic Wonderland Fun Park Spiegeltent in Docklands played host to the spectacular Lowdown Hokum Orchestra and Burlesque Revue.
Creator of the show ‘Blues man’ Doc White, also on vocals and guitar, conceived of this cleverly constructed and very entertaining musical pulling together a group of talented artists to see his vision come to life. Using a variety of songs by different artists a storyline takes shape.
Supported on stage by one of Australia’s premier jazz stylists,, the vivacious Nichaud Fitzgibbon, the story unfolds through song and narration delivered by director Mark Cutler, taking us on fantasy filled ride further enriched by exotic performances by burlesque queens Mimi Le Noire, Bettie Bombshell and Minnie Monroe.
Mimi Le Noire and Nichaud Fitzgibbon
The story line follows two people who meet as teenagers in school and form both a musical and personal connection that begins to deteriorate as they become successful. They loose contact, before a chance meeting 25 years later reunites the pair and they discover they still feel that initial chemistry and want to keep making music together. The bump n’ grind of the sexy burlesque performances give an edginess to the show end enhances the emotional impact of each song.
Mimi Le Noir and Minnie Monroe.
With an outstanding band in Alex Black on violin and mandolin, Peter Howell on double bass, Tony Martin on drums, Aaron Searle on sax, clarinet and guitar as well as an extra special performance by Mike Rudd on vocals and harmonica the atmosphere created by the show proved to be an audience winner.