Red Bennies is hosting a Vaudeville Christmas party to get you in the festive spirit.

Every Friday & Saturday night in December we are showcasing a selection of some of the best comedians, circus, side-show & burlesque performers in the business - All with a special Xmas touch, certain to make you feel warm and Christmassy down to the red baubles of your heart.

So get out the tinsel, switch on the fairy lights and come and deck the Red Bennies halls with Holly; or Steve…

STARRING

ASHER TRELEAVEN

Asher is a stand up comic, writer and actor working in Australia and the UK. Physically gifted and mentally unhinged this post-modern ponce is a regular at the Edinburgh Fringe and the Melbourne Comedy Festival. Over the last few years Asher has become one of the most awarded comedians in Australia with his blend of physical comedy, social satire and stand up.

Asher is currently touring his latest show ‘Matador’ in Australia and New Zealand. ‘Matador’ sees Asher staring down the subject of racism as a middle class white guy. Cerebral and challenging, inspiring and idiosyncratic, mind-opening and mind-bending, Asher tackles an important subject with wit, wisdom and an intriguing tale of how he got lost in the Thai jungle in nothing but his Speedos. Expect socially responsible comedy and cock jokes.

STRAWBERRY SIREN

"The Strawberry Siren stands out with her good looks and peculiar but hypnotic brand of Burlesque tease.” - Australian Stage.


Miss Strawberry Siren has been dazzling burlesque audiences both in Australia and overseas for the last 5 years. No stranger to the stage, Miss Strawberry has been performing since the tender age of 12 (yes.... that’s 17 years under lights!) Miss Strawberry draws on her extensive background in circus, theatre and dance to provide a fresh and fancy take on burlesque that she likes to call Cirlesque!

"The Strawberry Siren is the Tarantino version of Burlesque.... Sexy and dangerous!" - Kate Priddle, CircaNICA.

IKKO

With a career spanning from TV aerobics instructor in Japan through to yoga, fitness instructor and trapeze artist all the world over, Ikko has firmly planted herself as one of Melbourne’s premier emerging aerial tissue performers. A regular to Red Bennies she will take to the sky in a traditional Japanese kimono.

AERIAL MANX

Today Aerial is a world leading sword swallower, with ten World Records listed with the ‘Sword Swallowers Association International’ (SSAI), and is now considered the most innovative sword swallower in recorded history.

He also maintains an excellent skill level in contact juggling, juggling, acrobatics, contortion, fire eating, glass walking, blockhead, suspension / suspension dance, and various other forms of prop manipulation.

SKOPALOVA

Skopalova began her performance career as a rhythmic gymnast where she medalled nationally on many occasions. After an intense 12 years in gymnastics, Skopalova expanded her talents to something a little more daring, namely burlesque, cabaret and circus. She soon found herself in Melbourne's most esteemed corporate events, charity balls and fashion shows including Fashion + Aid, Red Ball and the recent L'oreal Melbourne Fashion Festival.

As Skopalova burst into Melbourneʼs burlesque scene she brought a whole new skill set to the stage combining the rhythmic gymnastics apparatus with dance, circus and tasteful teese.

JESS WARD

Jessica has come from a history of acrobatics and gymnastics. Early on in her career she competed in gymnastics, dance and international sports acrobatics competitions.

She was awarded National Acrobat of the Year in 2002, as well as being part of Elite Team of the Year in 2003, and International Acrobat of the Year in 2004 by Gymnastics Australia. Jessica has also worked with the highly credited physical theatre company ‘Legs on The Wall’. Jessica joined the AfterDark Theatre in 2009 and was a featured act for their premier show ‘Runtime Error’.

KARLIS ZAID

Karlis created ‘Cabaret Terrorists’ The Beautiful Losers, with Mark Jones and Mike McLeish - winners of 3 Green Room Awards for Best Ensemble, Melbourne Fringe Festival award for Best Cabaret. ‘The Losers’ have performed most recently at His Majesty’s Theatre (W.A.) and in The Melbourne Cabaret Festival.

Other appearances include: The Malthouse Theatre, The Famous Spiegeltent, The Hi-Fi Bar & Ballroom, Melbourne International Festival and The Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

Last year, Karlis appeared in The Divine Cabaret at the Adelaide Festival, with Geraldine Quinn & Mark Jones and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

Karlis also worked alongside Geoffrey Rush in MTC’s sell-out jazz musical 'The Drowsy Chaperone'.