BWW Reviews: Rosa Waxoffski Gets Up Close And Very Personal In HAIR TO THE THRONE

Saturday 13h June 2015, 6:30pm, Hayes Theatre, Potts Point

Marnie McQueen returns to the Cabaret stage with HAIR TO THE THRONE, the latest offering from the larger than life, Rosa Waxoffski, the Russian Beautician. Joined by Boris Longschlongadongski (Mark Jones), the grumpy, love sick pianist and faithful minion, Rosa shares secrets, stories and special insights into her profession through song, dance, multimedia and a generous amount of audience participation.

In a tuxedo, Boris shuffles onto stage and sets himself up at the piano before launching into an amusingly bored and somewhat psychotic introduction, his facial expressions priceless. Rosa appears as if she's stepped out of the 1980s in bright pink pedal pushers and matching jacket over zebra print top and glam rock mullet.

The 70 minute show combines songs that utilize well known pop songs from the last 40 decades, reworked to incorporate current events and pop culture references and aspects of Rosa's life and career along with secrets and clever comments about her celebrity clients and a lot of improvisation as she draws on the audience to participate. Despite the very intimate space of Hayes Theatre, Rosa is not afraid to clamber into the rows of seats ensuring that no audience member feels safe. Thankfully, despite some terrified looks, the selected audience members did play along, some with amazing honesty.

The adaption and inclusion of commentary on the venue, her exclusive clients, both local and abroad and references to current events and popular culture that all roll off in Rosa's thick Russian accent is impressive. The descriptions and innuendo are more on the side of clever than crass and even the most intimate discussions are handled with class in a more matter of fact education rather than the smut that lesser performers would have chosen. Boris also gets his little moments to shine, sharing his favorite jokes, a Russian version of Dad Jokes, delivered in his deadpan, sullen, self-effacing style.

Without giving anything more away, this well paced work, filled with a variety of performance styles is well worth seeing and provides lots of laugh and a wonderful escape from the cold outside.

HAIR TO THE THRONE

Hayes Theatre,

19 Greenknowe Ave, Potts Point, NSW

Saturday 13 June at 6.30pm | Sunday 21 June at 6.30pm

Running time: 70 mins

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