A choir of angels found in the depths of saucy cabaret – that pretty much sums up Boon-esque, a show that straddles the line between romance and satire. The show is dedicated to the romance novels of Mills and Boon, taking the audience through every iteration of the genre; the show features scenes from historical romance to military romance to medical – yes, of course – romance. Divided between two groups, the sultry Le Tableaux Burlesque, and the musical Bobby and the Pins, the show manages to expertly convey exactly what Mills and Boon novels are all about.
The show is introduced by the stunning Ginger Leah Rye, who immediately launches into an interpretive piece of a medieval Boonery. Aided by nothing more than a voice-over, Ginger sets the tone for the show immediately, letting the words of Mills and Boon drape over her as her clothes come off. Ending with the last caress, voices come from behind the audience. Four faces look up from the back of the theatre, pale from reading lights, but before you can question what they’re doing, they sing.
And it is magical. From their rendition of Mr Sandman, beautifully harmonised, to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, featuring a surprisingly complex costume change involving a travelling trunk, the audience was left spell-bound. Even with the occasional technical disruption, their singing held the show together. That’s not to say that the rest of the show didn’t have anything to offer, of course – the smooth bopping of Bobby and the Pins was simply that good.
Aside from a few mishaps involving sound and lighting, the show was fine. The show perhaps suffered from first night jitters, as some songs and acts weren’t as smooth as they could’ve been – so from this point on, the performance should only get better.
The subject matter, though at first odd, begins to grow on you, and by the end of the show you’re almost begging to pick up a copy. Thankfully Boon-esque provides for that need, not only with the performance , but the books they provide as well.
Now that’s dedication to a theme.
Boon-esque runs until October 13th at the 86 B. Tickets are $25 full-price and $22 concession.
