Roll up! Roll up! For the Trash Cabaret

Billing itself as “multi-cultural extravaganza” featuring artistes and performers including burlesque dancers, acrobats, fire performers, dancers and musicians, the show is basically a circus for adults. This time performed at the Guga S’thebe Theatre in Langa.

Black Orchid Burlesque

The adventure started with a pick up by minibus taxis in Obs, running on typical African time, that ferried us through to the theatre, which has a story of own. It’s constructed out of old shipping containers, recycled wooden fruit crates, straw and clay, and serves as the cultural hub in the township.

A little later, we were ushered into a courtyard by scantily-clad nymphs and greeted by a real-life version of Maleficent (the wicked witch in Snow White, if you’re not up on your fairy tales) – all black wings and devil horns. Dotted with rustic seating, the area housed a barista booth, a bar and a buffet featuring typical township fare including smiley and walkie talkies. Not feeling particularly adventurous, we opted for that other traditional South Africa favourite, boerie rolls, which we messily munched while gawping at the antics of strolling acrobats.

With most of the audience dressed for the occasion in steam punk high fashion, we were then rounded up by ringmaster, Riaan Smit of Crimson House – resplendent in scarlet and gold braid – to enjoy a pre-show show in the adjoining amphitheatre, before moving into the actual venue for the main event.

The Unknown Dance Crew

Performed against the backdrop of a brass band led by Smit, think N’orlins street procession, the acts were all pretty jaw-dropping. My particular favourite was The Unknown Dance Crew, a group of masked dancers with a very funny storyline.

My only gripe being, as a sufferer of chronic impatience, the long pauses between the different phases of the show had me rolling my eyes. We waited for the taxis, then had to wait again for about 20 minutes to get into venue, then had to hang around for about another 45 minutes for the main act to start.

But all in all, Trash Cabaret offers a night of rollicking good entertainment. Watch out for their next show.