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We joined Andrea James Lui for her Australian premiere of The Pole Shebang. From the moment she stepped on stage, it felt less like a performance and more like being invited into her world. This is Andrea’s story — told through dance, physical theatre, with plenty of cheek — tracing her unexpected journey through the pole dancing scene.
Andrea introduces herself as a rebellious, tomboy Asian Canadian/Australian pole dancer, and that energy drives the entire show. She shares the surreal moment she was called up by Chilli Rocks, a highly acclaimed Australian pole dancing legend.
Suddenly, Andrea found herself heading to the Miss Pole Dance World Championships.
The Pole Shebang is honest, funny, and refreshingly unpolished — just like her.
Believing that training is always better with friends, Andrea gets the audience involved early.
We loosen up and warm up together before she teaches us three foundational pole moves: the body roll, fan kick, and hook spin. Two brave audience members are even invited on stage to try them out on the pole – one clearly has done this before!
Along the way, we learn some important pole-world truths. Grip aid is essential for sticking to the pole, but sadly does nothing for procrastination.
Andrea also opens up about identifying as neurodivergent and gender diverse. As part of the conversation, she shares why she would prefer to perform at Mr Pole. Mr Pole is more playful, more fun. Miss Pole, she explains, is serious business, complete with mandatory 8-inch heels (though she concedes they do make your legs look longer and kicks higher).
The show’s final delight comes from the Tickle Trunk of costume. Pikachu stole the spotlight, flying around the pole and wowing the room with daring acrobatics.
The Pole Shebang is comical, candid, and genuinely wholesome.