ENTERTAINMENT

What’s on

Blushing Rouge

Cabaret and circus combine in Rouge, showing at the Burdekin Theatre Friday June 11

Marina Trajkovich

IT’S sexy, it’s sensory, and a little bit tongue in cheek, Highwire’s Rouge brings the best in circus performance and turns it on its head with an adults-only twist and bend of cabaret.

The theatrical circus production teeters into the realm of the risque and draws together elements of acrobatics, aerials and heart-stopping balancing acts accompanied by the operatic talents of Michaela Burger and some sultry burlesque.

It’s gained national recognition on the Australian Fringe Festival circuit, marrying an incredibly talented performance ensemble with a new interactive and fun-filled show that’s guaranteed to excite and entertain.

Performer Paul Westbrook, says he’s looking forward to bringing the performance to the Burdekin and that audiences can expect a funfilled and entertaining night out of impressive circus-try and sultry performances.

“I have a bit of a clown character so a bit of comic relief between the impressive acrobatics. I used to train in olympic trampoline and I’ve also studied dance. I also do a lot of aerial strap work so I bring that theatricality into the show,” says Paul.

Classically trained in drama in London, Paul found himself branching into other avenue’s of performance, with his Rouge debut featuring elements of theatrics, dance and aerial acrobatics.

“I’ve definitely enjoyed the more tongue in cheek and adult nature of it. Especially coming from a background where I do a lot of Shakespeare it’s nice to have that gritty crudeness mixed with some high-level physicality,” says Paul.

He says that Rouge is a unique mix of challenging acrobatics and theatricality, but that the show also challenges stereotypes around gender and performance while exploring playful and sensual themes.

“Traditionally in circus, the girls are thrown around by big men but what we’ve tried to do is have girls as bases, the men more fluid to blur the lines and open people’s eyes to what’s possible.

“What I like about it is being able to show off that physical prowess which we do train hours and hours for, but we’re also able to show ourselves as people and performers as well and just have fun with the audience.”

“There’s the classic acts but there’s also elements of sideshow which is kind of like Victorian freak-show, sword swallowing, fire. Then you’ve got acrobatics like trapeze, base acrobatics where we throw each other around.

“I think that what sets us apart from other shows is that it does have that element of spectacle to it. It’s got live music, big numbers, solo numbers. It’s an incredible display of strength but mixed with some real down to earth entertainment.”

JUNE

MY LIFE - THE STORY & SONGS OF BILLY JOEL

Friday 4 June 8pm Burdekin Theatre

THE MIDNIGHT GANG

Friday 4 June 10am Burdekin Theatre

AYR 4 B’S RODEO

Saturday 5 June 3pm and Sunday 6 June 12pm Ayr Showgrounds

OLD TIME DANCES

Saturday 5 June 8pm St Helen’s Anglican Hall Home Hill

QLD LINE DANCE ASSOC INC SILVER LINKS SOCIAL

Saturday 5 June 12 pm - 5pm Greek Community Hall Home Hill

AUSTRALIAN ITALIAN FESTIVAL

Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 June TYTO Parklands Ingham

ASPS BUSH MARKET

Sunday 6 June 8 am - 12pm Plantation Park Markets

2021 NORTH QUEENSLAND MINING & RESOURCES INDUSTRY FORUM

Wednesday 9 June 8am - 4.15pm The Ville Resort-Casino townsvilleenterprise.com.au

BURDEKIN INTERSCHOOL DRAMA FESTIVAL

Thursday 10 June 6.30pm Burdekin Theatre

ROUGE A CIRCUS FOR GROWN UPS

Friday 11 June 8pm Burdekin Theatre

GO PINK BREAST CANCER FUNDRAISER BOWLING NIGHT

Saturday 12 June 4pm - 9.30pm Burdekin Bowl

PERFORM MUSIC STUDIOS PRESENTS THE NEXT GENERATION

Saturday 19 June Burdekin Theatre

THE ROBERTSON BROTHERS 1960’S VARIETY TV SHOW

Saturday 19 June Burdekin Theatre