The success of Peter Pan: After Dark proves Sydney's long history with burlesque has not expired. Sundae Blaze's world premiere — a mix of burlesque, circus and fire performers reimagining a childhood story as an R18+ palooza — plays Fool's Paradise at the Entertainment Quarter as part of Sydney Fringe 2026. Reviewed by Sascha Zenari.
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The success of Peter Pan: After Dark proves Sydney's long history with burlesque has not expired. Sundae Blaze's world premiere — a mix of burlesque, circus and fire performers reimagining a childhood story as an R18+ palooza — plays Fool's Paradise at the Entertainment Quarter as part of Sydney Fringe 2026.
This world premiere sold out its first three shows from the 4th–6th of September, returning the weekend of the 19th–20th, and it's understandable why. With a mix of burlesque, circus and fire performers, a favourite childhood story is reimagined daringly into an R18+ palooza. Audiences should note it does feature haze, coarse language, sexual themes and nudity.
This world premiere, written and produced by Sundae Blaze, has a stacked cast. It's full of stunning performances from Dylan DeLuxe, Miss Eli Fury, Pixie Belle, Cat Bolitho, Mama Medusa, Olivia Longson, Miss GG La Boheme, Loren La Roux, Liza G and Uncut Ruby. More than just a fun night out, these performers reinvigorate the burlesque tradition through the lens of a familiar story. This merges the easily accessible with the excitement of the new and naughty in a genius blend.
"All children grow up… then they learn they have to pay the Wi-Fi bill," narrates Olivia Longson, voicing over the commencement of the show, alluding cheekily to the adult night ahead.
We're introduced to a pirouetting Peter Pan (Dylan DeLuxe), to jovial Lost Boys (Loren La Roux and Liza G) and seductive mermaids in pearl bralettes (Uncut Ruby and Miss GG La Boheme). Under the domed circus roof of Fool's Paradise, in the Entertainment Quarter, a blank stage is transformed into Neverland with cabaret dancing.
With only modest staging and lighting, the excellent costuming throughout carries the storytelling. Just take Mama Medusa as the Crocodile, who can turn the stage into a lake with her embodied performance, slipping and sliding over the stage, her black pleasers whacking against the stage like a heavy tail.
Wendy's (Pixie Belle) demure and controlled opening dance number entrances even Peter Pan's shadow, who makes lewd faces behind her and mimics her movements. A shocked Pan interrupts to audience laughter. This introduces a fun and bubbly Peter Pan, who jumps into the audience, setting off a round of clapping. A big fan of waving to the audience, he engages well with the crowd throughout the show, flexing his bicep at us at one stage.
The tight fold-out seating is easy to ignore when Tinkerbell (Cat Bolitho) emerges from the crowd, glittering in a bedazzled ensemble, introduced as a "toxic fairy" with a Britney Spears "Toxic" remix. By far the most impressive costume, what first appears to be a spine of feathers snaps into two plumed wings in a reveal that makes the audience gasp. Tinkerbell returns later in the show when it's time for her to "have a drink," sitting atop a giant cocktail glass in the splits. The audience claps along to the act, unprompted.
Wendy takes to the stage in dreamy purple lighting for an aerial act. A crew member is rigged to her hoop, ascending and descending the stage scaffolding to lift and drop the performer in a feat of great strength. Whilst the music track chosen is a little flat, Wendy's performance is spellbinding as she spins in a circle, her dress ballooning out around her. It's a perfect circus rendition of the original scene where Wendy learns to fly for the first time.
An energy shift hits the stage when the pirates appear with the first fire performance of the night. An unhinged Captain Hook (Miss Eli Fury) hits the stage under roving spotlights, calling out "all hands" on deck for her pirate mates (Uncut Ruby and Miss GG La Boheme) to undress her. This reveals skull and bones nipple covers with tassels that are lit on fire as she roars to the audience. The wave of heat hit us in the first row as she and pirate friends light rods and extinguish them in their mouths. The smell of smoke and the audience's excitement lingers after the exhilarating display.
Dazzling and engaging at every act, just under one hour long, the run time flew by and was over too soon. Peter Pan: After Dark stuns with its glitz and glamour, a product of over 20 years of creative experience from Sundae Blaze, proving that burlesque still has a place in Sydney's heart.
Peter Pan: Dylan DeLuxe
Captain Hook: Miss Eli Fury
Wendy: Pixie Belle
Tinkerbell: Cat Bolitho
The Crocodile: Mama Medusa
Voiceover: Olivia Longson
Mermaid / Pirate: Miss GG La Boheme
Lost Boy: Loren La Roux
Lost Boy: Liza G
Mermaid / Pirate: Uncut Ruby
Written & Produced by: Sundae Blaze
Reviewed by Sascha Zenari. Part of Sydney Fringe 2026.
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