Cabaret Festival

Adelaide Cabaret Festival Review: Rhonda Burchmore: Vinyl Viagra

Rhonda Burchmore in Vinyl Viagra

Sassy, full of brass and oozing class, Rhonda Burchmore ditches the nice girl image for a night of salacious wickedness…

Rhonda Burchmore in Vinyl ViagraPresented by: Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed: 7 June 2014

Sassy, full of brass and oozing class, Rhonda Burchmore is a showbiz force. Establishing a gift for dance and song, the entertainer with the fiery bouffant hair and mile-long legs has delighted many with her range. From TV, film and theatre, she’s done it all but still desires to broaden her horizons as her latest show proves. Singing songs of various divas from Marlene Dietrich to Madonna, her vocal style matches the dynamic fortitude of those who blazed a trail for her to follow.

Seductively entering the stage like a lyrical Lolita, Ms. Burchmore’s appearance drew much applause. From the moment she appeared wearing a sparkling black dress she had them in the palm of her hand.

Backed by a 5 piece band and 2 very muscular male dancers, she proceeded to outline the purpose of her show. Wanting to explore those determined ladies who made no apologies for their personal and professional choices, Burchmore’s ability to capture the meaning of their songs was evident. From Christiana Aguilera and Kylie Minogue to Chrissie Amplett, she successfully showed the raunchier side of their images. This was handled well as Burchmore proceeded to discard her ‘nice’ persona by telling the audience that her wicked alter-ego ‘Rhuda Brickmore’ would be taking over.

Wicked she was, this divine empress, and Vinyl Viagra more than lived up to its salacious title. Not the type of show you’d take youngsters to, it was a sexy, shocking and irredeemably naughty foray into Burchmore’s wild side.

Managing a myriad of costume changes within the short time-frame, she appeared with many interesting garments including one made out of balloons, leaving little to the imagination. Unlike some performers, she was not afraid to make the audience part of the show with a few hapless front-row watchers unexpectedly made a part of her performance. They all entered into it with fun spirits, with Burchmore gaining much kudos for not taking herself too seriously.

Like a boisterous ball of energy, it was easy seeing why she has lasted the distance. Giving new spins to tracks such as I Touch Myself, Get the Party Started and Big Spender, her passionate delivery made those tunes her own. It is appropriate this is so as Burchmore is an enduring force of nature refusing to fade. Given the rousing applause at the end of her show, the audience don’t want her to either. Offering a litany of surprises and engaging commentary on life in general, her showbiz experience was clearly evident.

Performers such as her should be cherished and lauded as she most certainly gave 100% to generating a good time. That, she clearly did with this queen of local musical theatre’s latest venture adding another coda to the majesty of her glittering career.

Reviewed by: Patrick Moore

Venue: Dunstan Playhouse
Season: 6 – 8 June 2014
Duration: 1hr 10 mins
Tickets: $44.90 – $49.90
Bookings: Book online through the Adelaide Cabaret Festival website or phone BASS on 131 246

 

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