From the moment you enter, Cabaret De La Crooked is here to remind you what Fringe is all about.

The venue space is small and intimate, with the staging, chairs and tech feeling like an impromptu set up. You are all but certain to catch a glimpse of a performer greeting their friends in the bar, or getting ready in the backstage area that doubles with the public toilets. And these are all good things; Cabaret De La Crooked is here to remind you that all performers should have a place to showcase their art.

Cabaret De La Crooked has an impressive range of acts, from first-time solo burlesque performances to drag kings, comedic duos and singers who’ll have you in stitches one moment and hot and steamy the next. But it’s their commitment to inclusivity that makes Cabaret De La Crooked so special. They feature local performers who might not fit within classic definitions of burlesque, and this creates an atmosphere of unwavering support and community. There’s an unbridled joy in each act that’s infectious. Is that audience member cheering because they know the performer? Maybe, but that’s not going to stop you from cheering them on as well.

The performers are putting themselves out there, giving it their all and that’s well worth celebrating. And leading everyone in those celebrations is the wonderful Mellogamy Muse. She says that as a neurodivergent woman, she never thought she’d be up on stage talking in front of people, but she’s up there and she’s doing it. Her respect and love for each of the performers is clear, and her chemistry with Luna, the stagehand, is delightful. Despite the odd tech issue or prop malfunction, this show is sure to have you smiling by the end.

Make sure to grab a front row seat for the best view.