Holly X certainly has an eye for talent. With past shows including worldwide performance artists such as Gina Stirling, Evana De Lune and Skylar, she brings a new crop of talent to The Garden of Unearthly Delights with her show Bite. Think cabaret vibes mixed with drug-fuelled parties and debaucherous acts that only happen behind closed doors, and you’ll get the gist of what a night at Bite brings.
Interstate talents include Nicolas, a performer who seems to have a kink for wearing masks and salacious dancing, and Dominique, a fiery woman figuratively and literally, her scintillating duo dance numbers with Holly a joy to watch. Charli Circus is a favourite of mine to see perform. Although I wasn’t quite sure of her costume choice (was she a fitness instructor or grieving widow?), her lyra, straps and hoop performances were utterly outstanding. I’ve never seen an audience jump in unison as they did for Charli’s aerial drops. Bianca rounds out the interstate troupe, showing the grace of a ballet dancer mixed with an upbeat dance move set was a highlight. I’ve never been so invested in pointe work as when Bianca was onstage.
Local talent hasn’t been forgotten either. The delightful Ember Rose wowed the audience with some fire tap, and Alex De Porteous, looking like Tinkerbell after a rough week, showed off her beautiful singing voice. Holly is always tremendous, her dance and fire skills on full display in this show, while the woman who looks like she walks on air, Carlie Hunter, left the crowd in awe with her aerial pole work. It seems as if Carlie (creator of Red District) has had a hand in bringing this show to life, as certain aspects of Bite have a strong Red District feel about them. The red has been replaced with green as the main colour theme, while the audience interactions before the show and fluoro light dance number pay homage to this successful 2023/2024 Fringe show.
With a new show, there are bound to be a couple of tweaks needed. The sound system in The Vagabond Tent does no justice to Alex’s beautiful voice or the music in the show as a whole, while some of the comedic audience interaction segments gave a tonal shift that was quite jarring. Those minor issues aside, none of the performers or performances lacked any energy, creativity or passion that this show brings. Bite is an underground cabaret at its best. It’s a titillating romp that will have you on the edge of your seat and gasping for more!
**** FOUR STARS
Bite is being performed now at Adelaide Fringe 2025.
Reviewed by Shane Berketa