What a spectacular night at the Polo Club! KREWD presented the Gaudy Ball on the 14th of September, and it was truly a memorable extravaganza. When I first entered the venue, I was a bit confused by the seats and tables, expecting everyone to be up and dancing. However, as soon as the performances began, it was clear this was a cabaret-style show, with entertainment front and centre.
The night kicked off with a bang, thanks to Frankie McNair’s alter ego, Tabitha Booth, who oozed comedic absurdity. Imagine Liza Minnelli, if she were from Canberra and convinced she’d saved the world with the help of ridiculous props—that’s Tabitha in a nutshell.
Guy Alias, a bona fide runaway circus freak, brought a brilliantly tasteless Rocky Horror medley, along with an eclectic blend of performance art involving bananas, tape, and a stapler… At times, it was so intense I had to look away! They also wowed the crowd with fire-eating, while bubbles floating in the background added to the dreamy, magical vibe.
Venus Mantrap, one of Canberra’s magnificent drag treasures, melted the audience with a fabulous slow strip tease, wrapped in an incredible outfit and cape made entirely of aluminium foil.
One of my personal delights at events like this is people-watching, and the Gaudy Ball did not disappoint. The crowd was a dazzling array of colourful, sexy specimens—so much glitter and sparkle! It was wonderfully showcased in the “Everyone’s a Winner” fashion show, where the artistry of the crowd was celebrated.
One of my personal delights at events like this is people-watching, and the Gaudy Ball did not disappoint. The crowd was a dazzling array of colourful, sexy specimens—so much glitter and sparkle! It was wonderfully showcased in the “Everyone’s a Winner” fashion show, where the artistry of the crowd was celebrated.
As with all great nights out, the event finished with a DJ and dancing, all brought together by the maestro herself, Bambi. The absolute highlight of the night was Bambi—the trashy, irrepressible hostess who never missed a beat. Her talents as an MC were matched only by her deliciously vulgar performances. Once the last drag performance wrapped up, Bambi made it clear she was off duty and proceeded to dance with wild abandon, as if the DJ was there just for her.
The Gaudy Ball delivered a fantastically tawdry show, full of sparkles, bubbles and creative surprises. I’m definitely looking forward to more wild fun from Bambi and her band of talented trash beings!
– Reviewed by Jo Falvey
