The Adelaide Insider

What happens when the wonderful world of show choir collides with the rhinestone-studded performing arts genre of burlesque? The answer is Gleeklesque: a joyfully camp tribute to the television phenomenon Glee that defined a generation of theatre kids. Co-produced by Serafina Fae and Honey B Mine Productions, the show assembles a wildly talented and wonderfully diverse cast who breathe new life into beloved numbers. Through solos, duets and ensemble pieces, the production celebrates both the melodrama of the original series and the joyful art of burlesque. The result is a glittering love letter to fandom that feels both lovingly referential and delightfully irreverent. Hosted by Iris Envy acting as the show’s main antagonist Sue Sylvester, Gleeks and cabaret devotees alike are invited to let their inner theatre kid run wild for one exclusive evening at Adelaide’s rooftop jazz and burlesque haunt Nineteen Ten.

The evening opens with a burst of cheerleader charm as Charli Chase, Honey B Mine and Serafina Fae appear as Brittany S. Pierce, Santana Lopez and Quinn Fabray, better known to fans as the “Unholy Trinity”. Dressed in crisp red and white Cheerios uniforms emblazoned with WMHS in gleaming gold, their hair pulled into high ponytails, the trio launches into the Glee cast’s cover of I Say a Little Prayer. Their choreography is sugary sweet and perfectly synchronised, evoking the picture perfect image of a 1960s girl group gone wild. Bright, cheeky and dripping with glossy pep-rally charm, this opening act is a playful nod to the early days of the New Directions and it sets the tone immediately.

Charli Chase returns solo as Brittany Pierce for a tribute to one of pop’s most memorable performances, dancing to I’m a Slave 4 U. Recreating Britney Spears’ iconic 2001 MTV VMAs ensemble with impressive attention to detail, Charli sports the olive green tie-up crop top, layered fabric shorts and glittering gold belt that made the original performance forever iconic. Charli captures Brittany’s trademark wide-eyed sincerity, delivering the routine with playful sensuality and refreshing confidence. It feels as though the character of Brittany Pierce herself has discovered burlesque for the first time and decided it might be her new favourite extracurricular activity.

Kitty Obsidian brings a commanding shift in energy as Mercedes Jones with the Glee cast’s cover of Bust Your Windows. Appearing in a pinstriped fedora, grey vest and glittering tee, Kitty grips a rhinestoned baseball bat emblazoned with the name “MERCEDES”, instantly establishing the mood of a diva who refuses to be overlooked. The act unfolds like a slow-burning revenge fantasy. Photographs of fellow glee club members are produced and dramatically torn apart before the costume peels away to reveal a striking black and nude ensemble embroidered with snakes. When Kitty wraps a silver chain behind the head of a willing audience member, the power dynamic becomes deliciously tense. Fierce, theatrical and crackling with powerful energy, Kitty delivers a performance that well and truly honours Mercedes’ powerhouse spirit.

Venus Moon bursts onto the stage as substitute teacher extraordinaire Holly Holliday, performing to Do You Wanna Touch Me (Oh Yeah) with gleeful chaos. Draped in black pleather with towering boots and a cascade of blonde hair, Venus looks every inch the walking HR violation that Holly proudly is. A sultry chair routine quickly becomes a flirtatious masterclass in bad influence as an unsuspecting audience member is brought onstage for a very personal lesson. Beneath the jacket and skirt lies a cheetah print ensemble that emerges piece by piece. Equal parts seduction and mischief, Venus embodies the sort of substitute teacher who has absolutely no intention of following the syllabus.

Things take a delightfully ridiculous turn with a duet from Iris Envy and Kat Scratch Fever as Sue Sylvester and Will Schuester. Performing to Tell Me Something Good, Kat aka Mr Shu attempts to serenade his long-time adversary with a slow-burning striptease that becomes progressively more ridiculous. Kat leans fully into a character-driven performance, loosening their tie, unbuttoning their vest and gradually shedding their rip-off jeans in a spectacle so exaggerated it has the audience howling. At one point, Kat’s shirt becomes a prop of pure absurdity, ridden like a horse in an act of unhinged commitment. Throughout it all, Iris Envy aka the eternally unimpressed Sue Sylvester watches with icy disdain from her seat, maintaining perfect deadpan control. The contrast between Kat’s theatrical enthusiasm and Iris’s razor sharp stillness makes the number comedy gold.

Serafina Fae proves she is a true triple threat. Not only is she one of the show’s co-producers, she also appears in multiple roles throughout the evening, and by this point one begins to wonder what she can’t do?! Swapping her Cheerios get-up for the polished uniform of Dalton Academy’s most famous Warbler, Serafina steps into the role of Blaine Anderson with effortless charisma. Performing to Darren Criss’ cover of Katy Perry’s Teenage Dream, she appears in Blaine’s signature navy blazer and striped tie, sparkling with rhinestoned detail. With a flourish, the blazer opens to reveal a pair of red and navy ombre silk fans that ripple beneath the stage lights. What follows is a beautifully controlled silk fans routine, equal parts theatrical elegance and burlesque glamour. As layers fall away to reveal a striking red ensemble beneath, the performance blooms into a confident celebration of colour, romance and just the right amount of show choir drama.

Ariel Drop delivers one of the evening’s most emotionally charged performances as Kurt Hummel. Striding onto the stage in a cream faux fur coat, thigh-high pleather boots and a football jersey emblazoned with “Hummel”, Ariel launches into Beyoncé’s Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It) with electrifying confidence. What follows is a dazzling display of athleticism. Backflips, cartwheels and fluid floor work unfold with effortless precision before the jersey lifts to reveal rhinestoned lettering across their shorts in a bold declaration of queer identity. As the music shifts into Kurt’s emotionally charged cover of Rose’s Turn, the performance transforms into something far more vulnerable. Ariel steps into Nineteen Ten’s iconic bathtub, splashing water across their body before stretching across its rim as droplets cascade down beneath the stage lights. Equal parts defiant and cathartic, Ariel creates a moment of raw theatrical intensity that captures the spirit of Kurt’s journey beautifully.

Barb A. Rian embraces Rachel Berry’s boundless ambition with a gloriously theatrical take on Don’t Rain on My Parade. The act begins with Barb seated beside a piano and a framed photograph of Barbra Streisand, lip syncing Rachel’s famously earnest monologue about her Broadway dreams. Dressed in Rachel’s signature black dress with a red sash, Barb launches into the song with unapologetic flair. The sash is tossed aside, the skirt spins away and soon a bold red and black ensemble is revealed beneath. In a flourish worthy of Broadway itself, Barb climbs into the ever iconic stage bathtub and unleashes a triumphant tassel twirl beneath cascading water as the final notes ring out. It is theatrical excess of the very best kind.

Closing the evening in appropriately commanding fashion, Iris Envy returns as Sue Sylvester for the show’s finale set to the Glee cast’s cover of Madonna’s Vogue. Clad in Sue’s unmistakable red and white tracksuit, Iris stalks the stage with ruthless precision, at one point grabbing a passing Mr Shu (Kat Scratch Fever) by the neck and tossing him aside with casual disdain. With the assistance of her Cheerios, she climbs atop the piano and raises a megaphone before slowly unzipping her jacket. Beneath it lies a white T-shirt emblazoned with Mr Shu’s face crossed out by a giant red symbol accompanied by the word “JAIL”. It is gloriously petty, perfectly in character and an utterly triumphant way to end the night.

At its heart, Gleeklesque understands exactly what made Glee resonate with so many fans. Beneath the absurd mashups and high school melodrama was always a celebration of individuality, performance and unapologetic self-expression. Under the guidance of Co-Producers Honey B Mine and Serafina Fae, the show gathers a cast bursting with individuality and creativity, transforming familiar musical moments into something daring, funny and heartfelt. Whether you arrived as a devoted Gleek or simply curious about the concept, Gleeklesque succeeds at converting everyone to watch (or rewatch) the show as soon as they get home. Like the best school musicals and the most chaotic show choir rehearsals, it was fleeting; playing for one night only at iconic venue Nineteen Ten during this year’s Adelaide Fringe festival. One can only hope Honey B Mine and Serafina Fae have more wonderfully unhinged ideas waiting in the wings.

Gleeklesque
Date: Thursday 12 March 2026
Location:  Nineteen Ten, Rooftop/143 Hindley Street, Adelaide SA 5000
Rating: ★★★★½