Two of Melbourne’s best and busiest queer cabaret talents Dolly Diamond and Luke Gallagher team up with special guests Rose Garden and songbirds, the Nymphs, to bring you a night of fabulous impromptu comedy, show stopping numbers and stylish cabaret at sparkling new venue, Red Bennies.

The show begins with D and G welcoming the crowd with some fun and cheerful banter. Then with cute 80’s throwback costumes and hilarious side gags, Diamond and Gallagher’s opening duet Don’t You Want Me will get you giggling, and is a fun start to the show.

Strap yourselves in for a ride of delight in the duos ‘Tiger Airlines’ sketch where they parody the ABBA hit, I Am The Tiger . Gorgeously camp outfits and great vocals.

Gallagher will blow you away with his committed performance and perfect vocals in his rendition of the Queen / Freddy Mercury hit Somebody To Love, backed up perfectly by the Nymphs and a touch of Diamond’s baratone.

Diamond’s finest moments come from her amazing ability to ad-lib in any situation delivering fabulous impromptu comedy in even the most random of situations, including mid performance. It’s during moments like her ‘meet and greet’ with the crowd, and her faux spats with the other performers that she shines brightest. Prepare to wet your pants from the hilarity that ensues.

A true testament to their immense talent is apparent in the sponsorship messages. They have managed to take what is always the most boring and hideous part of a performance – the sponsorship speeches – and make it one of the funniest bits of theatre that you’re likely to encounter. So so funny.

I get the feeling that after about 12 months of working together, Gallagher and Diamond have really found their rhythm with each other. It’s as fine tuned as ever, and their subsequent squabble banter is just wickedly funny with a touch of authenticity that accompanies true humour.

There were elements of the D and G Experience that felt a little thrown together, which was a bit unfortunate. They felt like they were a sort of ‘best of’ each of the two leads performances, but when combined just felt ill considered. Some of those songs and choices didn’t gel, standing alone without context.

An example is Gallagher’s My Life Would Suck Without Food – a vocally wonderful parody of a hit that jokes about him apparently being an over weight food addict. That might have applied to him years ago, but clearly doesn’t now, and comes across as out of place.

Dolly Diamond’s vocal – when not used for comedic effect – also at times came across as overly masculine. It was a little jarring and took away from the character she was creating. I would have liked to see a bit more of a feminine quality to the songs, to keep in character and thus complete the fabulous Dolly Diamond illusion.

That being said, however those moments are very much in the minority of the show as a whole and are made up for by all the brilliant show stopping moments. In fact the show has many wonderful highlights.

Show stoppers are definitely the Hairspray hit and the B52 hit Loveshack , both featuring the entire ensemble and special guests. If they don’t get you out of your seat and dancing, then there’s something wrong with you. Opening night audiences were treated to the wonderful addition of the Lo-Rez all gay male choir who sang and danced along to the shows big numbers. Just brilliant.

One of the best highlights of the show for me came from special guests, the Nymphs. The gorgeous girls start out with their accapella rendition of Mr Sandman before seamlessly melding into a very unlikely song; Enter Sandman by Metallica which they perform with what can only be described as exquisite beauty that still honours the songs darker essence.

The D and G Experience isn’t so much a show that takes you on a literal or thematic journey. It’s the kind of show which is good ol’ genuine entertaining fun. Great numbers are performed with talent and punctuated with impromptu comedy. There is room for anything to happen, usually with hilarious results. This is the first major show these two talents have teamed up for, and you’re going to enjoy it. I can’t wait to see their next collaboration.

The D and G Experience plays at Red Bennies every night from Thursday 28th – Sunday 31st January at 8pm.