Cabaret Festival Review: A Night of Burlesque

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An exceptional evening and a wonderful curation of burlesque

Presented by: Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed: 18 June, 2026

First admission, this reviewer has seen a lot of burlesque, a lot. So, when Bettie Bombshell, the number one most influential burlesque performer in Australia gets to curate a show, you know it is going to be something special.

Opening the show was the curator themselves. Bombshell lives up to the name, classic and modern dance moves executed in a strip tease that was not only high energy but stunning to watch. From the jump it was easy to see why Bombshell has the awards.

As a host Bombshell is engaging and warm, creating an atmosphere of comfort and openness for those audience members that might not be too sure where to look.

Bombshell’s goal was stated as bringing a wide selection of the many facets of burlesque and that brief was most definitely achieved.

Showing the phenomenal talent that South Australia produces, stalwart and Burly mama to many students in Adelaide, Lyra LaBelle showed the classic and fun elements of the tease to the delight of those especially in the front row. Her movements metered and her read of the audience exemplary.

Winchester Angel entered with her signature steam. Using her long limbs to every advantage, she presented a darker temptation, at some point her movements so lyrical that the audience was silently spellbound and simultaneously awed by her fire work.

Turning the patriarchy on its head, Karlee Misi’s parody of attraction and power harked on the cult of personality of the Blonde. With strains of Angelyne and Barbie, Misi has made a visual statement as well as creating an entrancing act.

For this reviewer the highlight of the evening was the presentation of a new work by Bombshell and their partner Rayn. This stunning song matched with interpretive movement brought the audience to heartfelt tears as the simple theme of love was laid bare in front of them.

Closing out the show was the incomparable Rhys Lightning. An international winner in the Burlesque Hall of Fame, Lightning is a consummate performer.  A phenomenal dancer, Lightning has the audience screaming for more.

A Night of Burlesque truly is an exceptional evening and a wonderful curation of burlesque from Bettie Bombshell.

Reviewed by Cara Brown

Photo credit: Claudio Raschella

Venue: Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: ended
Duration: 1 hour