Review: Tipsy History
Tipsy History delivers the promised cocktail of circus and variety, mixed up with a smattering of booze past and present, and all poured into the award-winning Hiker brewhouse. This is the third Glitter Martini show that I’ve seen in the last 12 months, as the 2022 Anywhere Festival included the memorable and quite fabulous) 7 Mortal Sins, and the inaugural Fringe Brisbane program included Happy Hour. I’m delighted to confirm that Tipsy History is a great addition to the Glitter Martini menu, tailoring a show for a brewery crowd when reprising four of the strongest elements of Happy Hour—with acts by Trent Charles, Rachael Ray, Darcie Rae, and Elena Khaw.
I say ‘reprising,’ but each of these returning acts were developed, tweaked, and improved upon for this latest show. It's difficult to imagine a Glitter Martini show without the irrepressible Trent Charles as compere. I loved Trent Charles’ Tipsy History costumes, where a personal highlight had to be the opening orange number; and we all enjoyed the trivia, and the beer games worked well (particularly the beer pong hat).
Rachel Ray’s opening Lyra was again fluid, elegant, and skilled—and I was greatly impressed as Rachael didn’t miss a beat when some of the bubbles fell to the ground. Elena Khaw’s Mai-Tai contortion act was even better than I remembered it from Happy Hour—alternately wowing and amusing a wide-eyed audience. I was suitably astounded at Darcie Rae’s bottle-balancing, and always really enjoy Darcie’s fluid, flowing, spinning and beautifully balanced ‘aerial trapeze dance’ work.
Picture: Rachael Ray (Credit: Creative Futures Photography)
Picture: Fae Bae’s fabulous brewhouse pole work (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Trent Charles in one of many Tipsy History numbers (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Picture: Darcie Rae’s fluid and impressive aerial dance (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Tipsy History also includes new Glitter Martini elements and acts—including the excellent work of DJ Ash (sound). Rachel Ray’s new ground-based hoop act is an impressive piece of gymnastics, balance and contemporary circus, and is an excellent addition to the menu. And Ophelia Novak held the attention of the audience with the interesting combination of tease, sword-balance, and jiggle.
But just wait until you see the fabulous Fae Bae; it is worth the ticket price just to enjoy their compelling performance. Fae Bae has an amazing stage presence, working impressive costumes and tease, and delivering quite fabulous pole work and lip-synch—all with and without those spectacular heels. Just ... wow.
Congratulations to Darcie Rae (Producer) and the performers who have together created an entertaining tipsy history brewhouse show. It’s a great concept and I can see that it will be a wonderful addition to any brewhouse program—whether with the current acts or even if adding a few new faces along the way (including acrobat and hand balancer Rachael Armstrong, who joins the Tipsy History program at the 26 May Thirsty Chiefs Brewing Moreton Bay show).
Verdict: A great variety show for a brewhouse. Expect to be entertained, and occasionally wowed by Glitter Martini’s Tipsy History.
Picture: Elena Khaw’s Mai-Tai contortion cocktail (Credit: Creative Futures Photography).
Audience information: Tipsy History, Hiker Brewing Concern, Salisbury, Brisbane (18, 19 May 7:30pm), and also at Thirsty Chiefs Brewing Company, North Lakes, Moreton Bay (26 May, 7:30pm). 50-60 minutes (no interval). 16+ (partial nudity, some coarse language). Tickets $35. For Hiker Brewing, limited car parking onsite plus plenty of free street parking. Suggest dressing warmly. Doors open at 5pm—it’s a good idea to arrive early to enjoy food from the Asian Fusion Food Truck, and to sample some of Hiker Brewing’s award-winning beverages.
The reviewer attended the 18 May 2023 performance (7:30pm)