A glorious celebration of bodies, burlesque and feminist joy

Rating: ★★★★★

At a glance

A vibrant, funny and gloriously body-positive celebration of burlesque from Victoria, Canada. Featuring performers in their twenties through to their fifties, The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue combines comedy, music, puppetry, spoken word and the craft of burlesque in a joyful feminist show that leaves you wanting a second half.

Show details

Performer/Company: The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue
Country: Canada
Genre: Burlesque, comedy, cabaret and variety
Venue: theSpace @ Surgeons’ Hall — Fleming Theatre
Performance time: 22:00
Running time: 50 minutes
Age guidance: 18+
Content information: Partial nudity, sexual themes and references to sex work
Venue website: theSpaceUK — The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue

Review

The Cheesecake Burlesque Revue is a feminist burlesque company from Victoria, British Columbia, featuring women in their twenties, thirties, forties and fifties. They are all about body positivity and women’s rights, titillating and tempting us into their gloriously vibrant world. Presented as a series of solo and group acts, this 50-minute show honestly leaves you wanting more. I wished there had been a second half. Every woman and every body shape is celebrated, with acts ranging from music and comedy to the beautiful craft of burlesque itself.

There is even puppetry from the company’s co-founder and “Head Cheese”, Champagne Sparkles. One particularly funny moment comes when the puppet begins undressing her before placing its head between her legs, suggesting something rather sexual. Yet the way it is presented is light-hearted, playful and extremely funny. One of the deeper moments is a spoken-word piece about sex workers. I loved this piece and thought it was beautiful. Nobody strips off or reveals their pasties; instead, the performance strips away the stereotypes and stigma attached to sex work and questions how society views sex workers. It is a powerful contrast to the otherwise light-hearted programme. Another highlight is the troupe’s award-winning group number. They won Best Large Group at the Burlesque Hall of Fame in Las Vegas in 2024, and I can understand why. There is also a gorgeous queer act featuring a green-haired performer whose distinctive presence intrigued me.

The company finishes with a musical tribute to the Edinburgh Fringe, complete with ukulele and kazoo, while also giving other Fringe artists a generous shout-out. The packed audience whooped, hollered and clapped throughout, and I do not think anyone wanted the show to end. If I were ever in Canada—or found them appearing in a longer show. I would be there watching. This five-star show gave me a wonderful dopamine hit and genuinely lightened my day. Thank you for coming to the Edinburgh Fringe. Please come back, and next time, give us a second half!

View the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe listing

About the reviewer

Ginny Evans-Pollard, also known as Queen Queerlysh, is an autobiographical theatre maker, spoken-word poet, comedian and theatre critic. She brings a sharp eye for theatrical form and a balanced, passionate perspective, with particular interests in feminist, neuroinclusive and disability-led theatre, solo performance, mental health, international culture and theatre as a force for change.

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Ginny also runs Empauher, providing neuroinclusive coaching, consultancy and workplace support. Visit Empauher to find out more.