It's so rare you visit any kind of entertainment venue and leave thinking 'they couldn't have done that any better'.
Running a burlesque venue is tough, even in the best of times. Even Cher would have failed if not for Christina Aguilera’s expertise in air rights.
Add in a broad economic downturn hitting the arts industry hardest during a particularly unforgiving winter, and it’s a testament to the extraordinary artistry at VIVA that this brilliant venue is still thriving.
VIVA stands tall in the middle of a desolate pocket of North Melbourne purely on its own artistic merits (and a healthy dose of sex appeal). Located on Sutton Street, VIVA opened in April, promising to blend the allure of a speakeasy with the vibrant energy of Melbourne’s contemporary nightlife.
“It’s a sanctuary where the gritty edge of the district seeps through the walls, infusing the atmosphere with an energy you’ll find nowhere else in Melbourne,” the owners stated at the outset. The venue delivers on all those promises and more.
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Nothing about VIVA feels half-cocked. From the moment you ascend the inconspicuous stairwell, doubting if you’re in the right location, you’re transported into an incredibly refined, tasteful, and understated bar with curved archway mirrors and dimly lit hallways.
Through the doors, you’re greeted by a modern yet authentic theatre-in-the-round, with plush crimson seating and thick marbled tables. This attention to detail extends to every aspect of the performances.
The night is split into two distinct shows – Elegant, a taste of everything VIVA has to offer, followed by Exotic, a sexually liberated performance that acts as a fourth act, showcasing the full range of the performers’ talents. The toplessness (and more) are inherently enjoyable and useful marketing ploys, but are just one small aspect of a show that reveals its full qualities slowly and purposefully.
This is best epitomised by the narrator, comedian Jessie (Je Suis). He starts as a pure comedian, testing the comfort levels of those who shudder at audience participation, before slowly revealing his integrality to the performance. Finally, in Exotic, he reveals himself to be one of the most versatile and impressive performers in a series of finales that are nothing short of ecstatic, blending traditional and neo-burlesque elements in a celebration of the artform.
Any fan of burlesque will leave VIVA happy. There are plenty of nods to the classic songs and performers of the early 20th-century golden age, and both live vocalists are tremendously impressive. Every dancer and acrobat is exceptionally talented, as one would expect.
Yet there’s more to VIVA, a venue that truly embraces innovation and the endless opportunities created by the modern burlesque movement. Striptease, theatricality, and social commentary are combined with dual-paned floor-to-ceiling projections and acrobatic props that descend from the ceiling, while the performers themselves regularly ascend from the stage. It’s a visual spectacle that’s largely unrivalled among Melbourne venues, bar the major theatres.
The resurgence of burlesque hasn’t been fully adopted by Melbourne, despite its obsession with art and culture. VIVA rights that wrong with aplomb, and here’s hoping it has the success it deserves, inspiring a new appreciation for the art form across the city.
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