The Entertainment Company

The Gym, the Arts Centre, Thursday 11 March

Reviewed by Sophie Elizabeth Ricketts for

Backstage Christchurch

Lights, curtains, a stage, an aerial hoop - for variety show “Nouvelle” the normally empty space of The Gym at the Arts Centre was completely transformed. Four long rows of seats filled up and the show began with high energy and some of the longest legs you’ve ever seen.

Dancers Nellie Evison, Darcy Goodall and Savannah McNatty lit up the space with their dazzling smiles, fancy footwork and mile high kicks. As an ensemble they were tight and synchronised, as individual artists they commanded our attention all on their own.

Hillary Moulder’s comic timing was perfectly accentuated with each of her numbers, as was her great character work. But make no mistake, she’s not just there to hit a mark and deliver punchlines: this woman can sing and dance with the best of them proving she really is the full package and a true triple threat.

As the diva, and the host of the show, Bryony Jamison’s electrifying vocals captured our attention again and again each time she took to the stage. She playfully interacted with the audience in a charming and witty manner, and the sass of her character was a nice touch creating a little drama and some big laughs. Hearing her tackle songs from Britney to Beyoncé was a true delight, because she can nail every single one of them.

Josh Hart and Amy Leigh, the spectacular duo known to Christchurch audiences as Mystical Jinx, brought their unique skills into the mix to transform Nouvelle from the ordinary to the extraordinary. Their quick change magic routine was so exciting and so fast you definitely don’t want to take your eyes off them for even a second! As solo artists, Josh’s personal brand of drag is de-luxe; big hair, big sparkle, high camp and of course, an outfit reveal. While Amy had the opportunity to show off her aerial skills more than once, it was her stunning work on the aerial chandelier which had all of our jaws dropping.

The costuming of the show really needs to receive its own paragraph. As the show went on I picked out at least three items I now wish I owned! The colours and fabric choices were superb, while the additional details like coloured spats, gloves and fascinators really made outfits pop and dazzle. Whoever designed these elements of the show truly understands dance and the range of movement required to make the outfits functional, while still gorgeous. Bravo to this unsung hero.

And on that note, I desperately wish there had been a programme! I would love to be able to name more than just the performers while praising technical elements of this show. In addition, I’m sure there were plenty of people in tonight’s sold out audience who were curious about certain songs and want to add them to their personal playlists. Even a digital programme via QR code would have been great.

This show is full of fun, fashion, glitz, glamour, boobs, bums, and a great soundtrack. While it is appearing now as part of the Christchurch Pride Festival I would love to see it make a reappearance during next year’s Buskers Festival when the whole central city comes alive with variety performers. If Covid has taught us anything it is that we need to appreciate the talents of our homegrown artists just as much as those of foreign guests, and this cast is very deserving. This show was sexy, slick and full of wow factor. If you appreciate hard working hard bodies, next level vocals, and are looking for something to put some sparkle in your weekend: good news, you’ve found it.

Please note: although this show is advertised in the Pride Festival booklet as taking place at the Milton Street Substation the venue has changed to The Gym at the Arts Centre.