A happy house with a delighted audience, The Old Market hosted a truly Brightonian event to raise money for the Martin Fisher Foundation.
From burlesque dancers playing with fire to hybrid comedy gold from versatile comedians, Extravaganza 2 – Glamourpuss lived up to all of its promises and more! With a fine selection of the most polished cabaret acts in the South-East, not a dull moment was had in three hours!
In honour of Professor Martin Fisher, the Martin Fisher Foundation launched in 2015 to continue his vision for the treatment of patients with HIV, and to work towards an end to HIV transmission – ‘Towards Zero’.
Martin Fisher leaves a legacy of understanding and dedication to improving the care given to patients with HIV. He became a HIV consultant in 1995 and worked passionately and diligently to provide the best possible care for his patients, at a time where people living with and dying from this virus were still heavily stigmatised and dehumanised.
“More than anything else, he was an outstanding physician, with a wonderful bedside manner, who treated his patients like they were his own friends and family.” – The Martin Fisher Foundation
Martin Fisher’s legacy lives on through the Foundation – the commitment to people with HIV and the pursuit to end transmission unwavering.
With a special thanks to the eloquent, organised, fire-safety qualified Sister Brandy Bex, and glamourous hostess Stella Pint, deference must be paid to every act who graced the stage.
The three-part cabaret event showcased performances from a range of fabulous comedians – the reformed CJ Hopkins, the exhausted Claire Carty, the precise Fran Kissling, and deadpan legend, the chanteuse Kate McGann – as well as world-renowned burlesque performers, the fire-eating Aurora Starr, and seductress Cleopantha.
I haven’t even mentioned the hunky smiling topless waiters in the VIP section yet, have I? Nice touch, Bex. Of course, it wouldn’t be Brighton without one or two drag queens wreaking havoc! Poetry, stand-up, rap, lip-sync, and pop medleys, the performances were diverse and fabulous.
Already being familiar with Sister Brandy Bex’s comedy and poetry from her TEDx appearance, I enjoyed her set even more in person! Rhys’s Pieces and Miss Ruby V made great impressions with elegant yet formidable performances, and “Brighton’s blonde bimbo bombshell in blue”, Miss Darcey Nox in white (Elsa could never), stunned the audience with her vocal stylings and poise.
You can read my interview with Darcey Nox from earlier this year – here.
Without The Fear 