Boys keep swinging

Because in the past (and present) Fringeworld has often presented (and presents) spunky and fairly butch ensemble all-male revues such as ‘Briefs’, I went in to ‘The Birdcage: Boylesque’ thinking it would be typical ‘hens’ night’-type fodder: all buffed-up guys in jockstraps and g-strings, strutting their bodies with not too much in the cerebral department to boast about.

Rather, ‘Boylesque’ presents male performers across the great spectrum that is masculinity. From Vegas-showgirl-style drag right through to (yes) buffed guys in jockstraps and g-strings, there’s fem and butch in equal doses.

Indeed, in this hodge-podge of male eye-candy, there is something for everyone. If you dig the hipster look, there are guys boasting moustaches and beards, complete with steampunk attire head to toe. If you like your guy beefed up and covered in tatts, he’s here too. And if you don’t mind a bit of a pot belly on a bloke, you can expect to see some of that on this here stage (after all, if it’s good enough for bellydancers).

There’s also more than just striptease here – there’s erotic dance, acrobatic stunts, even old-school vaudeville singing.

‘The Birdcage: Boylesque’ edition is hosted by one very smart woman: the well-heeled, sharp-suited, and sharp-tongued Ruby Slippers (I swear this girl looks and sounds familiar; have I heard her on radio?).

Ruby is quick with the double entendres, and big on encouraging the audience to wolf-whistle their way throughout the entire show.

They say if it’s good for the goose, it’s also good for the gander, and up until about a decade ago, burlesque was mostly a men-gawking-at-women spectacle. Now the tables have turned, a quick-witted chick holding the whip, telling the boys what to do is a new kind of ‘sexy’ in itself.

Viva la sexual revolution!  Antonino Tati

‘The Birdcage: Boylesque’ edition is on at the Empyrean Function Centre from now until February 21. Check http://www.fringeworld.com.au for exact nights of the week.