★★★★★
Pietagogetter. The Garden of Unearthly Delights - Babylon. 25 Feb 2022
You haven’t really Fringed if you haven’t exposed yourself to Reuben Kaye. I lapped up his show last year and he’s returned with Reuben Kaye - The Bitch Is Back. But wait, there’s more! He also hosts The Kaye Hole… variety show at 11 pm on Friday and Saturday nights throughout the Fringe. When too much Fringe fun is barely enough, this is the place for indecent excess.
There is no question who is riding whom tonight; a hands-up poll reveals heterosexuals are in the minority, a revelation accompanied with squeals of delight. Dressing down in a tatty and tight black dress, Reuben resembles a disrobing porcupine due to spiky accoutrement, and he further accessorises with a microphone sprouting horsehair. Ships could navigate on his personal magnetism. Sporting a short drop fade crewcut and chiseled good looks, he is in perpetual motion. He sings with incredible power and you soar with him. Reuben et al are ably supported by musical director Shanon Whitlock on keys, Jarrad Payne playing drums, Dylan Marshall on guitar and Alana Dawes tickling the bass. But, as Reuben says, with watchability comes responsibility. He calls out social injustice and bad government with genuine concern and to much applause.
Bettie Bombshell is the first other to explore the stage. Wearing a teeny-weeny bit of black gothic, Betty tumbles and twists and the tassels go twirling to menacing music. Betty’s best assets are readily bankable. She menaces the audience with lascivious prowling. Burlesque at its best.
Dale Woodridgebrown is the sort of colourful cowboy you could easily saddle up to. Miming a gay fav, his virtuosity with rope wouldn’t earn first prize at the rodeo. But he can crack whip a rose bush into a bouquet, even using his butt as a vase.
Elke’s lithe frame belies the incredible strength required to throw oneself about on the trapeze and make it eye candy. Emily Chilvers follows another Reuben song with some deft rope work while elegantly stripping down to the sexy essentials.
Tina (the ex-diva) Del Twist hobbles on stage with a broken heel and an enormous bowl of wine. Appearing inebriated beyond redemption, she slays the audience with some un-operatic behaviour. The few voice samplers she manages to emit only teases us with anticipation of full throttle which was reached crooning the iconic White Rabbit with band.
Warning: Do not leave early! There’s more! I wish I could tell you what Tara Boom wore, and what she did, but this was the most audacious and surreal act of the night, and it’s best enjoyed with complete surprise. She brought down the house.
Subsequently, Reuben announced the show was over and it ended like a car accident. He attempted to reverse the screeching halt, but there needs to be a better plan.
The Kaye Hole… is 90 minutes of unrelenting, lewd and loudly extroverted entertainment hugely loved by those attending. Bravo!
There is every chance your show might have different guests performers depending on availability.
David Grybowski
When: 18 Feb to 19 Mar
Where: The Garden of Unearthly Delights - Babylon
Bookings: adelaidefringe.com.au
