The Adelaide Insider

Lock up your expectations and throw away the key: Catch Jazida is about to steal the show in more ways than one. This burlesque production is a high-stakes performance that commits the perfect crime of entertainment, seamlessly blending theatre, comedy and burlesque to create an interactive, laugh-out-loud adventure that is part detective story, part cabaret, and entirely electrifying.

A trail of glitter marks the path of our protagonist: award winning burlesque performer Jazida, who stands accused of a spectacular heist that has authorities hot on her sequined trail. As Detective Artemis Seven closes in, determined to bring this mischievous showgirl to justice, the stage becomes a playground of cat-and-mouse intrigue. Will our glittering heroine slip through the detective’s grasp, or is her final act about to be cut short? One thing is certain: Catch Jazida is a reminder that burlesque is an art form of endless possibility – a medium for storytelling, comedy and pure, unbridled creativity.

From the moment Jazida makes her grand entrance – a sequined ringmaster emerging from the back of the audience like a master of misdirection – it’s clear this is no ordinary heist. Handing out sweets to the audience from her usherette’s tray and executing the classic “torn and restored” newspaper magic trick, she pickpockets the audience’s attention with criminal ease. Her opening act is a masterclass in distraction, complete with a quick-change costume reveal that would make any art thief proud.

Detective Artemis Seven proves to be the ultimate partner in crime-solving (and comedy). Her film-noir-inspired narration is so deliciously over-the-top, you’d swear she’s been studying from the Inspector Clouseau handbook of investigation. Whether she’s narrating a PowerPoint presentation about Jazida’s criminal escapades complete with faux news stories and French-accented quips, or spouting a tongue-in-cheek dialogue centred around Venetian blinds, Artemis brings an endearing, slapstick energy that perfectly complements Jazida’s razor-sharp skills.

The performance is a veritable treasure trove of talent, with Jazida pulling off more costume changes than a cat burglar evading capture. Jazida isn’t just a performer – she’s a multi-talented artist who seems to defy expectations. One moment she’s executing a sultry stocking peel routine complete with headstands and splits, the next she’s making cocktails “shaken, not stirred”, then before you know it she’s playing the piano and singing a poignant love song. Honestly, what can’t Jazida do?!

It is Jazida’s LED feather fans that truly steals the show: a masterpiece of raw vulnerability and artistic expression. Set to a remix of Billie Eilish’s Happier Than Ever, Jazida strips away not just her clothing, but all emotional barriers. With two large feather fans illuminated with LED lights, she creates a mesmerising spectacle that’s as much about internal revelation as external performance. Manipulating changing light sequences through the delicate fans, she transforms the stage into a canvas of emotion – raw, real and utterly captivating. It’s a moment that transcends typical burlesque, inviting the audience into a deeply personal exploration of art, vulnerability and self-expression.

Jazida’s sword-balancing sequence is nothing short of theft – stealing every ounce of the audience’s attention as she balances a custom metal apparatus atop her her and various body parts with the precision of a jewel thief working a laser grid. Set to a remixed rendition of Escalate by Tsar B, she shimmies and spins across the stage with effortless ease, proving that her only crime is being impossibly talented.

The gymnastic duet with Artemis Seven is a getaway scene of physical artistry. Dressed in matching blue and red glittery bodysuits, they balance and move with such synchronicity you’d think they’d been planning this performance heist for years. Their chemistry is so electric, it could short-circuit any security system.

The finale – a rap-infused, money-throwing extravaganza – is the ultimate plot twist. Audience members become unwitting accomplices, showering the bandits with fake cash as Jazida raps to Jaden’s Icon, the dynamic duo brandishing prop guns and proving that in this world, the only thing being robbed is the audience’s expectations.

By the time Jazida and Artemis take their final bow, you’re left wondering what exactly you’ve just witnessed. A crime caper? A comedy? A burlesque show? The answer is gloriously, delightfully: all of the above.

Catch Jazida doesn’t just break the fourth wall – it picks its lock, disarms the alarm, and waltzes right through. It’s a show that commits grand theft entertainment, with Jazida as the mastermind and Artemis Seven as the most delightfully incompetent (yet utterly captivating) detective in pursuit.

From magic tricks to sword balancing, from piano ballads to rap performances, Jazida proves she’s the ultimate criminal – stealing hearts, dropping jaws, and getting away with the most spectacular performance heist imaginable. Artemis Seven’s bumbling detective routine provides the perfect comic counterpoint, creating a partnership more dynamic than any crime duo in history.

Consider this your official warning: Catch Jazida is about to make off with your evening, and you won’t want to press charges. With only four shows remaining – will you Catch Jazida in Adelaide?

Catch Jazida
Venue: Nexus Arts, 68 North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
Dates: Wednesday 11 – Saturday 14 December
Times: 7:45pm nightly, 2pm Saturday matinee
Rating: ★★★★½