On Stage: Club Vegas – The Spectacle

There were sequins, huge bejewelled headdresses and feathers aplenty on stage at Melbourne’s Athenaeum Theatre for the opening night of Club Vegas – The Spectacle.

As the name suggests, the two-hour production seeks to recreate a typical Las Vegas show.

As such there were plenty of colourful and glamorous costumes together with a number of well-buffed performers on show!

The staging was often imaginative with a 4.5 metre motorised stiletto shoe the highlight.

The show, a rebirth of  Dion & Randall International’s original 1995 production, features 22 Australian performers all of whom are given a chance to shine.

Singers including Jonathan Guthrie-Jones, Fabio, J’Aime Holland and Tony Lee Scott and 12 dancers brought to life songs from the 70s/80s/90s and current pop charting music hits.

Drag artist Fabio’s presentation of several of Tina Turner’s greatest hits resulted in some of the loudest cheers on the night. The audience also clearly appreciated Guthrie-Jones’ performance of Sway, New York New York and Mac The Knife.

There were also plenty of cheers for the work of gymnasts Dani and Sacha who showed their aerial and balancing skills.

Illusionist Sam Powers illustrated his talent as a comic, aided by a ‘good sport’ member of the audience, as well as his magical expertise.

Although seeking to recreate the feel of Las Vegas, the show had a distinctive Melbourne feel thanks to the work of host and comedian Gino Starr (James Liotta) and his many references to local iconic people and locations.

No doubt  those references will be become Queensland centric for, after playing three shows in Melbourne, Club Vegas will next take to the stage at The Star Gold Coast on October 14.

For more information visit the Club Vegas website.

Jenny Burns attended opening night of the show as a guest of the producers.