Theatre - The Undressing Room - Factory Theatre

Reviews, By Jody Ekert, 16th February, 2009

Imogen Kelly believes the art of undressing is based on the art of dressing. Skin, a flesh g-string, make up, glitter, false lashes, a fancy dressing gown, and heels form the basis of any of any super strippers’ art form. But burlesque queen Ms Kelly has many more arrows in her quiver including puppetry, acrobatics, and film projections designed to leave her audience with their jaws wide open and gasping for breath.

Women through the ages have removed their clothes. Most of us do it twice a day. But Imogen and her characters undress to shock, please, amuse, embarrass and empower.
At Friday’s show there were about thirty people in the audience. Most laughter from them started as nervous titters – but by the end of the show was it was guffaws, whistles and cheers.

Imogen knew how to work an audience. She willed us into willing her to take more clothes off by making us clap and make noise.

A traditional fan dance turns into something spectacular with puppetry.

The evolution of little red riding hood from starving peasant child left to fend for herself in the forest to a wanton hussy who’ll foolishly jump into bed with any man is told in striptease.

A Jim Hensen inspired fluorescent pudenda sings to the audience while dancing around eventually being discarded for fluorescent body paint.

These were just some of the characters – and giving away any more of the show would just ruin the surprises. Let’s just say the conclusion of the show involving a cream cake and a strawberry will leave you salivating uncontrollably. Both reviewers were somewhat in awe of the frills and lace and boning and corsetry – along with the shoes and make-up.

After the show we chatted to some girls who’d come from Dubbo to see the show, and like both of us they were simply busting to go and buy some new clothes – inspired by the fabulous Ms Kelly.

This is definitely the type of show you see again and again, dragging new friends along each time!

The Undressing Room plays at The Fuse Box, Marrickville Arts Factory, 105 Victoria Rd, Marrickville from the 10th to the 22nd of February. Tickets are $25 and $20 concession and New Mardi Gras members.

Check out Same Same’s Mardi Gras section by clicking here.

Reviewed by Jody Ekert and Camiseta.