Showcasing a scintillating lineup of insanely talented fire performers, burlesque artists and cabaret acts from Adelaide and beyond, Inferno: June Edition is a piking hot smokeshow that gets adrenaline pumping, hearts thumping and sets the night ablaze. Held at Adelaide’s premier rooftop venue Nineteen Ten, this edition highlights twelve unique talents who set the stage ablaze with their mesmerising mastery of fire manipulation. The venue’s intimate setting accentuates the raw energy of each act, creating an immersive experience that fuses adrenaline with artistry, setting the tone for a truly unforgettable evening.
Kicking off the fiery spectacle as our charismatic host is The Diabetic Diva herself: Lyra La Belle. Beyond her masterful role in energising the audience, the blonde bombshell dazzles with her own captivating moves, seamlessly transitioning between acts while maintaining an infectious enthusiasm throughout the show. Lyra’s interaction with the crowd, filled with witty banter and engaging anecdotes, creates a dynamic atmosphere that keeps audiences eagerly anticipating each new act.
Nikita ignites the stage with a sultry chair routine set to the tantalising beats of Cell Block Tango from hit musical Chicago, followed by a dynamic display with fire samurai swords to the soundtrack of Blood In The Cut by K.Flay. Her performance is a seamless blend of elegance and danger, leaving the audience spellbound from start to finish. Each movement with the fire samurai swords was executed with precision, the flames flickering in harmony with the music, creating an atmosphere of controlled chaos that intensified with each swing and flourish of the blade.
Enter Eddie Embers, donning a striking purple fedora and leopard print bodysuit, who mesmerises with twirling fire batons and a majestic fire dragon staff to the pulsating rhythm of Purple Hat by Sofi Tukker. Eddie’s performance is a testament to precision and flair, captivating the audience with every fiery spin and flourish. The intricate choreography with the fire dragon staff showcases Eddie’s agility and skill, the flames tracing arcs of light against the night sky, while the rhythmic twirls of the fire batons drew gasps of awe from the crowd.
The Queen of Slink Kalikah enchants with a majestic blend of bellydance, heavy metal alternatie music and fire manipulation, commanding the stage with every shimmy, sway and flick of her hips. From seductive snake arms with lotus palm torches to an enthralling fire sword routine to the nu-metal notes of Passenger by Deftones, Kalikah’s power and prowess weave a narrative of beauty and intensity, culminating in a finale in which she balances a flaming sword atop her head whilst bellydancing with effortless ease. The shimmering sequins and jewels of her dazzling costume catch the light with each fluid movement, adding a surreal brilliance to her performance that transports audiences to a realm where fire and dance intertwine in a scintillating spectacle.
MissTaken Identity wows audiences with two distinctly different acts, both sensational performances showcase her versatility and bold expression. For the first act, she embodies fierce pop culture icon Xena: Warrior Princess, clad in a golden set of “armour” whilst wielding fire batons with Amazonian strength to the powerful beat of Arena by Fabian Mazur & Snavs, before switching things up with a fun and playful strip show to a remix of Girls Just Wanna Have Fun. MissTaken Identity then returns to the stage later on in the evening as a queer piñata: adorned in layers upon layers of rainbow streamers, donkey ears, a rainbow braid and a colourful matching stick to spank her with. With each spank of the stick, an item of her clothing comes off, sending candy – yes, real life lollies – flying into the audience. MissTaken Identity’s transformation from fierce warrior to playful piñata was executed with theatrical flair, each act revealing a different facet of their dynamic stage presence and storytelling prowess.
Striga commands attention with a haunting performance to the heavy metal tones and intense screams of Suffocate (feat. Poppy) by Knocked Loose. Donning a headdress reminiscent of a biblically accurate angel and draped in a sheer black number with gold accents, Striga looks like an otherworldly apparition on stage: like a goddess resurrected from the afterlife. From a hypnotic fire palm routine to wielding fire scythes with pristine precision, Striga’s act evolves with emotional depth, culminating in a poignant display of vulnerability. As she removes her headdress and places it into the water of the rooftop pool, the act transitions into a sombre routine with fire fans set to Anhedonia by Chelsea Wolfe & Emma Ruth Rundle. Through movement and fire manipulation, Striga conveys a narrative of transformation and introspection, punctuated by moments of raw emotion that resonate deeply with audiences, highlighting the power of art to evoke empathy and connection.
Dorian Courtisan absolutely electrifies audiences with their vibrant stage presence, clad in a holographic rainbow get-up that mirrors their exuberant spirit. With acts set to the anthemic beats of She’s My Man by Scissor Sisters and Gay Bar by Electric Six, Dorian makes a bold statement by using a staple gun to affix both a rainbow pride flag and pastel transgender pride flag onto their body. The incorporation of LGBTQ+ symbolism and anthems into Dorian’s act is a powerful testament to self-expression and pride, honouring June as pride month and fostering an inclusive atmosphere that embraces diversity amongst the fire and burlesque community.
Selena Sol combines nostalgia and skill in a dazzling hula hoop performance set to the infectious rhythm of Lose Control by Missy Elliot. Her mastery of the hula hoop, illuminated with flashing lights, spellbinds audiences with its hypnotic patterns and flawless execution, evoking a sense of wonder and admiration. The intricate patterns created by the flashing lights of the hula hoop accentuate Selena Sol’s precise movements, showcasing her exceptional hand-eye coordination and transforming the simple childhood hobby of hula-hooping into a mesmerising display of artistry and athleticism.
Ember Rose turns up the heat with a smokeshow burlesque number, donning a rhinestoned fire corset and crown while sashaying and sauntering around to the sultry strains of Dinero by Trinidad Cardona. Her act, a balance of sensuality and spectacle, is marked by daring manoeuvres and a splash of theatricality that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. The interplay of the theme of fire with water added an elemental drama to Ember Rose’s performance, however sadly the view of her signature water hair flick was mostly blocked by a poorly positioned wall. Warning to those seated in the front rows and swings: beware of the “splash zone”!
Micky Rolls brings a playful yet daring energy to the stage, entering wearing only a towel around their waist and a backwards cap before unleashing a dynamic performance set to It’s Raining Men by The Weather Girls. From flipping and jumping with fire batons in hand, to a sexy shower scene culminating in butane bubbles and a fiery finale, Micky’s act is a whirlwind of sass, athleticism and unabashed showmanship. The theatricality of Micky’s performance, from a playful stage presence to daring fire stunts, elicited both bouts of laughter and applause amongst audiences, creating a lighthearted yet thrilling atmosphere.
Well renowned amongst the fire community and affectionately known as “Elder Dragon”, Adam Lobo commands respect and admiration with a steampunk-inspired act that showcases his masterful fire manipulation skills. From breathing large flames of fire, to twirling a majestic fire dragon staff along his body with ease, Adam’s performance is a testament to his experience and precision, captivating audiences with every flick and flourish of the flames. The intricate movements of the fire dragon staff, synchronised with Adam’s fluid choreography, showcase a mastery of technique that elevates the performance into a showstopping display of artistry and control, eliciting awe and admiration from audiences and fellow performers alike.
Icarus delivers a poignant performance that delves into sensitive themes of substance abuse and addiction, beginning with an electrifying fire chandelier act and culminating in a tender moment beneath a shower of emotion. Their storytelling prowess, combined with graceful athleticism and raw vulnerability, creates a performance that resonates long after the final bow. The emotional depth of Icarus’ performance, from the fiery intensity of the chandelier act to the introspective solitude of the shower scene, conveys a narrative of resilience and transformation through overcoming adversity.
Last but most certainly not least, Sian Brigid makes a dramatic entrance draped in mystery, unveiling a gothic get-up complete with sheer black cloak and form fitting floor-length black gown adorned with silver sequins. Taking her time to undress and reveal a vibrant orange set of tassled lingerie, Sian exudes effortless cool and elegance, concluding the night with a breathtaking feat that epitomises the essence of Inferno’s fiery spirit. Sian’s signature sword swallowing act, enhanced with a glittery bat-shaped hilt set ablaze, underscores her fearless artistry and technical prowess. The show culminates in a climactic moment where Inferno producer Kraken aka Kali makes a cameo appearance to slowly remove the blade from Sian’s throat, ensuring a memorable finale to an electrifying evening.
Sizzling, sensational and smokin’ hot, Inferno: June Edition certainly lives up to its cult-like status as Australia’s hottest fire show, delivering an evening of spellbinding performances that blend burlesque artistry and fire manipulation to create a flaming hot spectacle. As part of the upcoming Glenelg Winter Arts Festival, the upcoming Inferno: Winter Edition promises to ignite the senses once again on Friday 12 July at Colley Reserve in Glenelg. Be sure to snap up your tickets while they’re hot here.
Inferno: June Edition
Date: Friday 28 June | 8pm
Location: Nineteen Ten, 143 Hindley Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Rating: ★★★★★
The Adelaide Insider 