[star rating =3/3]
JoJo Bellini (aka, the Bondage Queen), emerged onto the stage fully dressed in an outfit which looked straight out of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, promising her audience sex, torture and hits from the 80’s. All three were dished out in various degrees, though what was sex and what was torture largely depended on the individual’s views on both.
The performance comprised of sex jokes, innuendo and kinky stories. 80’s hits were also a main feature of the show, which featured classics such as “Dancing Queen” and “Fat Bottomed Girls”.
A couple of the songs were parodies of the originals, but all instantly recognisable and sung reasonably well. They were a big part of the show’s general ridiculousness, becoming the subject of gags, stories and sex fetishes.
In truth, the production often forced the room to cringe a little – and not in a good way. It’s hard to imagine anyone listening to those songs the same way ever again, for better or for worse.
The performance was definitely at its funniest when the Bondage Queen was interacting and participating with her audience. Asking them to sing along with her to “Total Eclipse of the Heart” may have been a mistake, but at least everyone seemed to be having fun.
As the show went on, the audience seemed to be enjoying themselves more and more, though it was unclear whether this was because of the show or because their pre-purchased beers were starting to kick in.
Bondage Queen Sings the Hits is definitely something of an acquired taste.
