Club Vegas: The Spectacle - Review

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Sat 14 Oct 2023

Club Vegas - The Spectacle wasn't in Melbourne for very long - two days, three shows on the 1st and 2nd of September, and now it's heading for The Star Gold Coast on Casino Drive, Broadbeach at the theatre located on the Casino Level. Saturday 14 October 2023 at 8pm is the date to put in the diary, and the good news, you can get your tickets now . Performing for one night only, it's a spectacular show you would not want to miss. I'd hurry as VIP allocation has already been exhausted. Please also note that parking at The Star Gold Coast is no longer free for all. See here for info on rates and how to earn complimentary parking. There's a demand during peak periods so be sure to allow additional time to secure parking.


Suitable for all ages, there were a few children under the age of 12 at the Saturday matinee Melbourne performances at the Athenaeum Theatre in the city. It's a fair assumption to say everyone was ready to party, the theatre foyer abuzz with patrons no doubt ready to be dazzled by feathers and glitter. From the applause at the end of the show; everyone standing and dancing at their seat can be taken as an affirmative, a good time was had by all.


The MC at the show was Versace loving funny man Gino Starr aka James Liotta , complete with a broad accent like Con The Fruiterer (a fictional character created by Australian actor and comedian Mark Mitchell in the 1980s). Tastefully witty and quick off the mark, Gino had the audience laughing out loud every single time he was on stage. He had enough material to keep everyone in stitches without skipping a beat. Other performers sharing the stage included renowned magicians, dynamic singers, aerialists, international circus performers, glamorous dancers, and a show-stopping glittering 15-foot motorised stiletto ( see here ), you're going to have to see to believe.


Set to a high-octane electric fusion of 70's to 90's and current pop charting music hits, a Vegas show would not be complete without bejewelled award-winning diamante encrusted costumes, talented, athletic dancers and feathers aplenty. Three hours of entertainment inclusive of interval, your attention will be captivated by all the magic on stage. Speaking of which, you'll no doubt be mesmerised by the fabulous smouldering presence of Sam Powers , illusionist extraordinaire, and his gorgeous assistant Alycia. Up close and personal, you're still not going to believe what you see in his jaw-dropping performances. He will leave you perplexed as he did the audience at Australia's Got Talent 2013 auditions. He's the master of making things appear and disappear and more. You have to see it to believe it.


Actor/singer, Jonathan Guthrie-Jones gives a powerful performance that doesn't disappoint. Tall and debonaire, I have seen him perform in 'Shake Rattle 'n' Roll which was also at the Athenaeum, and he's just as impressive every single time with his strong vocals, cheeky glint in his eye and sense of humour - melting hearts. Singing classic Vegas hits made popular by the likes of Sinatra and Bobby Darin, and synonymous with the glamour of Vegas, he brings magic to the stage as he belts out songs like Mack the Knife; New York, New York, and more, effortlessly.


Dancers on stage were Benito Veneziano, Angus Eastwood, Samuel Moreira, Andrew Steen, Emily Zumstein, Billie Spindler, Audrey Stein-Reeves, Lucy Evans, Taryn Baxter, Lily Shepherd, Tyler-Rose Shattock, Amy Williams and Paris Luzaic. The women, having the advantage of being costumed more glamorously, they were just fabulous to watch; it would be a tough job trying to pick a favourite. They all had a wonderful presence on stage, yet I managed to be mesmerised by Lily Shepherd, Amy Williams and Emily Zumstein who just appealed to me. As dancers/performers they all oozed with talent, and as the show promises, world-class performers.


Said to have more than a quarter of a million dollars worth of award-winning costumes, it's definitely believable when costume after costume keeps coming out on stage, stars in their own right. They represent glitz and glamour, impressing both men and women alike. Costumes by Nina Randall Bahoudian, her creations are the result of painstaking research and attention to detail. There's also some audience interaction; and if you're in the front row, you just might become the focus of attention for the MC. The illusionist also searches for one lucky audience member to help him with one of his illusions, much to the lady's delight who went up on stage. She did a good job of being a good sport, putting in a little performance herself with her natural wit and cheekiness, which delighted the audience.


The circus performer/aerialist was a great show of strength and balance and of course beautifully muscled and toned bodies. Other performers outside the aforementioned include two other vocalists, one of whom is Australian-born singer J'aime Holland who is based in Melbourne, and sang a duet with Jonathan Guthrie-Jones. Our resident Tina Turner commanded a presence on stage, bewigged, costumed wonderfully and with legs that could move to the beat. Overall the whole show is an utter joy to behold, visually, technically, and artistically perfect with great props like the giant stiletto and an absolutely fabulous Carousel Horse I wouldn't mind having. I thanked sound and lighting at their desk as I walked out the door for their fabulous contribution that set the mood with a great lighting design that makes all the difference. There's nothing worse than incoherent sound with volume that's either too loud or too soft. Luckily it was all perfection at this show.


Produced by Dion and Randall International this is the reimagined return of Club Vegas that's a glittering, lavish, and breathtaking, Las Vegas-inspired spectacle, and pure entertainment. It's an experience you won't want to miss. Support the Arts and get your tickets early to this one-day-only show and immerse yourself in top-notch entertainment/performances filled with talent and glamour.




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