Review: YUMMY UNLEASHED

Welcome to Valerie Hex’s "cultural orgy" – an hour of high camp, avant-garde cabaret, burlesque and performance art pleasure. Including some of Melbourne’s most celebrated drag and burlesque performers, YUMMY UNLEASHED is a celebration of all that is queer, weird, femme and beautiful.

The ensemble, including Hex (James Welsby), Benjamin Hancock, Hannie Helsden, Zelia Rose and Jandruze, are as strong individually as they are apart. Helsdon is a delight with a tongue-in-cheek sensuality that fronts her acrobatics, particularly her impressive hula routine. Rose shines as the hair-whipping, fire-breathing burlesque queen, her Miss Burlesque Australia title strongly on show. Cheeky in all the best ways, Jandruze has a keen eye for the absurd and unconventional (and has some curious lunch-lady skills). Benjamin Hancock’s rendition of Marylin Manson’s 'Beautiful People' is as creepy and uncanny as it is striking. Hex, who also directs and produces, is a charismatic and conscientious host, keeping the sold-out audience in the palm of their hand.

The costumes are as arresting as the performers: body length glitter boots, Maleficent-esque masseuse wear, commanding power-shoulders, hammer pants and leather. Touching on the importance of inclusivity, gender-fluidity, and with some thought-provoking performance art about climate change (it’s hilarious – don’t worry), YUMMY UNLEASHED is a show with surprising heart.