Step right up, ladies, gentlemen and gentlefolk, and prepare to be enchanted by an adults-only spectacle that takes your favourite Disney classics and gives them a devilishly wicked makeover! Welcome to Dizney Debauched, where nostalgia meets seduction in a performance as daring as a ride on Space Mountain. Brought to you at this year’s Adelaide Fringe Festival by the mischievous minds at Ardent Artiste Productions, this burlesque extravaganza reimagines all your beloved (or hated) Disney characters in the most debauched and seductive ways possible. Whether it’s villains, protagonists, or sidekicks, prepare to be left questioning everything you thought you knew about fairy tales. So, if you think you’ve seen it all in the House of Mouse, get ready for the happily ever after you never saw coming.
Dizney Debauched kicks off with Ditzy Dilemma bringing the fiery pint-sized dragon Mushu to life from Disney’s Mulan. Dressed in a stunning red sequined full-length costume, complete with a dragon’s tail, horns, insanely detailed face paint and Mushu’s sidekick Cricket perched atop her head, Ditzy is nothing short of majestic and should be commended on her attention to detail when it comes to costuming. But don’t let the sparkles fool you, there’s a wicked twist to this spicy dragon. Performing to Tambourine by Eve, Ditzy blends sultry moves with Mushu’s comedic charm, lip-syncing to some of the dragon’s most iconic dialogue from the movie and even dazzling with an impressive mesh fan routine that evokes the frills of a dragon’s wings. Ditzy’s performance delivers a tantalizing balance of charm, sass, and pure artistry. From the moment she steps onto the stage, Ditzy reminds us that Mushu is more than just a sidekick: this red-hot dragon is the star of the show.
Prepare to be thrust into the chaotic world of Alice in Wonderland as Cosmo Enchantèe embodies the quick-tempered and outrageously dramatic Queen of Hearts. Lip-syncing some of the Queen’s most iconic lines, Cosmo steps onto the stage in a breathtaking red, black, and white gown – looking the very picture of Wonderland’s most infamous ruler. Her queenly updo and playing card-adorned cape are just the beginning—unzip that gown and you’ll find a black latex dress and striking hoop skirt with little red heart details. Of course the Queen of Hearts is a dominatrix, how fitting! With a remix of Heads Will Roll that perfectly suits her murderous mood, the performance takes a delightfully saucy turn as she strips away her regalia to reveal a set of glittery set of red heart pasties. Exuding pure queen energy, Cosmo Enchantèe will capture your heart and make you lose your head in the best way possible.
Next up, we get to witness Flick’s show-stopping performance as Shego, the iconic anti-hero from Kim Possible – who has likely been the bisexual awakening of many a viewer (myself included). Dressed in a black lace body stocking and a neon green two-piece, Flick slinks across the stage with an energy that could only be described as electrifying. Performing to STUPID by Ashnikko, Flick channels Shego’s villainous charisma, oozing confidence and wicked sass as they effortlessly dominate the stage. Their sultry floor work is a masterclass in flexibility, as they slide effortlessly into splits and deliver a performance that packs a powerful punch. Flick owns the stage and delivers a sharp, sultry performance that leaves the audience begging for more.“What’s the sitch?”: Flick just stole the show.
Hold your breath, because Holly Hooray’s portrayal of the iconic sea witch Ursula from The Little Mermaid is nothing short of spellbinding. Sipping from a wine glass, she stands trial for all of her villainous deeds… and places the blame squarely on the wine. Adorned in a lacy purple body stocking and purple face paint, Holly sheds her black gown to reveal a black garter belt with octopus tentacles complete with shimmery suckers: truly a feast for the eyes, and the heart. Holly takes us on sensual journey under the sea, proving Ursula is as much a siren as she is a villainous vixen. Performing to a re-lyricised version of Lilac Wine by Jeff Buckley before transforming into Whatever a Sea Witch Wants (a parody of Whatever Lola Wants by Sarah Vaughan), Holly casts a spell on audiences with her powerhouse vocals and intoxicating moves.
Delightfully ridiculous duo Ivy Cyanide and Blondie Sprinkles take on the iconic roles of Gaston and LeFou from Beauty and the Beast, and their bromance is enchanted with just the right amount of camp and chaos. Performing to Gaston (from the 2017 live action Beauty and the Beast ), Ivy owns the stage as the self-obsessed alpha antagonist Gaston, wearing his signature red and gold ensemble, complete with a big tuft of fake chest hair that would make even the Beast green with envy. Meanwhile, Blondie Sprinkles as LeFou is the perfect foil: dorky, awkward, yet utterly adoring and madly in love with Gaston. As their costumes peel away in a beautifully over-the-top camp display, Ivy performs her signature tear away pants move not only on herself but also on Blondie, revealing a pair of underwear that reads “I Heart Gaston” in glitter. Be Our Guest in witnessing a Tale As Old As Time, except this time it’s reimagined with a whole lot more glitter and gay romance – and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Twerk Noir Teases take the stage as the Lost Boys from Peter Pan, bringing a riotous, rambunctious energy straight from Neverland. Led by the fierce Nia, the troupe of ragtag rebels consists of Flick (who we saw earlier in the show as Shego), Ruby Sweet Cheeks and Lily LushASSS. Decked out in ragged vests, feathers, plaid shirts, and tear-away pants, the troupe bursts onto the stage in a flurry of chaotic energy. To the beat of Rock And Roll Part II by Gary Glitter and Lil Boo Thang by Paul Russell, they burst into synchronised floorwork, twerking, and dance, creating a sense of wild abandon that encapsulates the spirit of Neverland perfectly. With ass, sass and a little pixie dust, these Lost Boys have your heart soaring higher than Peter Pan himself.
Six Inch Minx takes center stage as the ultimate pop star chameleon, Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus, giving you The Best of Both Worlds—and then some. Dressed in a rainbow fringe tinsel jacket, a long blonde wig and a crop top with “Having A Meltdown” written in rhinestones in place of the Hannah Montana logo, Six Inch Minx effortlessly transitions from wholesome Disney Channel darling to Bangerz era bad girl. Exploring the many “eras” of Hannah/Miley, Six Inch Minx belts along to a medley of some of the pop star’s most iconic hits, from Hannah’s The Best of Both Worlds and Nobody’s Perfect, to Miley’s See You Again, We Can’t Stop and Wrecking Ball. From twerking on a foam finger (throwback to the 2013 VMAs), to licking a rhinestone encrusted sledgehammer, this performance delivers floor work, chair routines, and heel bangs that will have the nostalgia coming in like a Wrecking Ball.
Starling Strix embodies the megalomaniacal, delightfully wicked villainess Yzma from Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove. Decked out in Yzma’s iconic purple and black headpiece, extravagant feather collar, and slinky black gown, Starling looks every bit the part of the evil mastermind. Performing to tracks from the hit franchise such as Snuff Out the Light by Eartha Kitt, Evil Night Together by Jill Tracy, to Cardi B’s sexy anthem WAP, Starling brings a wicked charm that rivals Yzma’s own. Timed perfectly to Yzma’s unforgettable one-liner “Pull the lever, Kronk!”, Starling rips off their gown to reveal a purple tasseled two-piece set in a costume reveal dripping with dramatic flair. Between sultry chair routines, a flourishing feather fan number and impeccable character work, it’s clear that Starling’s Yzma is not just after Kuzco: they are here to slay the stage.
Roxy Stardust’s portrayal of Disney’s beloved anthropomorphic Minnie Mouse proves that when Mickey’s not around, the wild side of Minnie really comes out to play. Ditching her usual sweet and wholesome persona, this sassy, foul-mouthed rodent has more bite than a cheese wedge. Rocking her signature red and white polka dots, black mouse nose, and her hair styled in two buns to mimic a pair of mouse ears, Roxy struts with a mischievous charm that’s as irresistible as it is playful. But don’t be fooled by the adorable bow—this Minnie isn’t afraid to get a little crass and show some ass! Set to Minnie the Moocher by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Roxy’s performance proves that even the sweetest of characters can unleash their wild side with a little help from burlesque and the art of the tease. Underneath it all, she rocks a rhinestone-encrusted polka-dot ensemble and has the audience eating up every moment, showing us a side of Minnie we’ve never seen before: squeaky, cheeky, and ready to cause a little bit of mischievous mayhem.
And finally, we arrive at the legendary Captain Jack Sparrow from Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, brought to life by the incomparable Mellogamy Muse. Dressed in all the pirate finery—pirate’s hat, dreadlocks, bandana, striped vest, and pirate sword—Mellogamy delivers a mutinous performance set to the sea shanty Wellerman before transitioning into I Touch Myself by The Divinyls. In true Jack Sparrow fashion, she pops a fake bottle of booze and skulls it down like only a pirate would, while The Twerk Noir Teases return as bottles of rum – Jack’s true weakness – leaving the crowd wondering “Why is the rum gone?”. With a grand costume reveal, Mellogamy strips down to reveal starfish pasties and a cheeky lobster called Larry tucked away under her costume, making the ultimate finale as unpredictable and wild as a storm at sea. With swagger, charm and charisma, Mellogamy is a true treasure, and her Jack is the perfect way to end this burlesque voyage through the world of Disney.
Dizney Debauched is a riotous, seductive, and delightfully naughty take on Disney classics, filled with jaw-dropping performances and clever character work. From villains, to sidekicks, to misunderstood protagonists, each performer delivers a unique and unforgettable experience. Produced by Perth-based production company Ardent Artiste Productions, who also brought Star Warz Denude to life during this year’s Fringe, this show boasts a stellar, diverse cast of both local and interstate performers. If you’re in Adelaide, make sure you catch this spellbinding, adults-only Disney burlesque parody before it wraps up at The Lab in Fool’s Paradise on Sunday 2 March. It’s a burlesque experience like no other: where nostalgia meets naughty, and anything goes.