⭐️⭐️⭐️ and a half.
WA Exposé sells itself as a rapid-fire variety show that allows audiences to experience a wide range of performance arts. From drag and burlesque, to comedy and circus, the aim of the show is to well, expose, people to art forms they may not otherwise consider.
It sounds like a great concept. It’s why I am generally drawn to showcases. It’s hard to know who to watch, especially if you’re not actively keeping an eye on the local entertainment scene. There’s a wide gamut of styles in the burlesque scene alone. WA Exposé expands the choices beyond one category of performance art, offering a degustation of sorts over an hour.
However, a good degustation considers harmony between courses. Unfortunately, I found WA Exposé to be a jarring experience.
To be clear, this is not necessarily a reflection on the quality of the performers. While a couple were not to my taste, everyone garnered applause from other audience members. However, going from cheeky burlesque numbers to stand up comedy to a monologue detailing fetishisation of Asian women made the show a bit of a hotchpotch.
As a person of colour, I felt and saw Coco’s monologue. Given the light tone of the earlier performances, I felt like the room was suddenly plunged into sombreness. I couldn’t fully process and appreciate her well-thought out soliloquy after because my attention had to shift back to the next performer.
Similarly, I couldn’t get into the stand up comedian’s act. I felt that it needed more time to develop as a set. It felt like I was being told snippets of a story without a neat ending.
I also found the time between the sets disorienting. The venue went dark after each performance and suddenly we would hear an excerpt of a WA Exposé podcast before the next performer entered the room. My plus one and I both found it hard to follow the podcast.
The show would have benefitted from having an emcee to fill the gap. Alternatively, the artist being introduced by name before the podcast excerpt. It seems to defeat the purpose of offering the audience a chance to discover someone new… if they don’t know what their name is. Unless they introduced themselves, I had no idea who the new performers were. It is a shame because there were two burlesque artists I really enjoyed watching yesterday and I now have to try scouring Instagram for them.
Would I see WA Exposé again? It could be worthwhile given the rotating schedule of artists. Perhaps I’ll find a better mix next time.
WA Exposé only has 2 shows remaining on 24th and 25th January – book your tickets here.