Created by Morgan Joy and Joshua Bonnici
Produced by Joshua Bonnici | Toronto, ON
Review by Paul Goubko
60 mins / M / Comedy, Clown, Burlesque, Cabaret, Physical Theatre
A chaotic and humour-filled burlesque show that encapsulates the essence of the Fringe Festival. Sweet & Sultry is a blend of art, sexiness, and comedy with rotating acts that promise a good time, whether you are an avid burlesque goer or attending for your first time.
Before the show began, audience members were already told what would come, with “volunteers” providing consent scarves and free candy on a silver platter, already heightening the mood for what’s to come. Once settled in, we were given a delightful pre-show performance during the Fringe intro to keep the momentum going, which only heightened as the brilliant MC for the evening worked the crowd with the skill and professionalism of your favourite stand-up comedy.
Sweet and Sultry Burlesque. Photo provided.
Each performance that followed brought a unique and well-put-together performance with audience members cheering, hollering, and clapping. Keeping the fun non-stop, the “volunteers” provided their own entertaining performances after each act with their hilariously unique way of clearing up the stage for the return of the MC and the next performers. The show ended on a high note when the main act was suddenly “canceled,” the volunteers who had become one of the highlights for the audience closed out the show.
Tastefully done and jam-packed with laughs, it’s little wonder that Sweet & Sultry Burlesque has won multiple Fringe Awards. With a rotating cast and performances for each show, you should catch it before the festival ends.
Sweet and Sultry Burlesque is playing at Arts Court Theatre from June 13–21. Tickets are $14 plus service fees at the Fringe box office (3rd floor, Arts Court, 2 Daly Avenue), and at the three satellite box offices (LabO in the Ottawa Art Gallery, Fringe Courtyard, 67 Nicholas St and La Nouvelle Scène). Five and ten Show Passes are also available. Visit the Ottawa Fringe Festival’s website for the show’s schedule and check out their online schedule here.
