Photo Flash: SAUCY JACK AND THE SPACE VIXENS Begins Tonight at Fringe World 2016

Polish your disco balls and set your glitter beams to fabulous - the cosmic cabaret SAUCY JACK AND THE SPACE VIXENS is blasting off at Fringe World in 2016. Scroll down for a sneak peek!

Presented by Grey Lantern Productions at Rigby's Bar and Bistro, the UK cult musical has been described as Cheers meets Red Dwarf meets Rocky Horror in a galaxy far, far away. All is not well at Saucy Jack's space bar, as the evil shadow of a serial killer looms with cabaret acts killed off one by one, stabbed by the heel of a sequinned slingback shoe. Saucy Jack himself doesn't seem bothered by the threat of murder or tragic loss of his cabaret acts - he's more concerned it will be bad for business - so it's up to the interstellar space cops, the Space Vixens, to find the killer.

"Saucy Jack is set in a dingy cabaret bar in space where the audience are patrons," director Lorna Mackie said. "The action happens in and around the audience, at the bar, on the stage and on the floor - it's a truly interactive theatre experience, set to rocking disco and pop tunes."

Mackie said there were several challenges in staging SAUCY JACK AND THE SPACE VIXENS but that's what made it fun.

"Much of the show happens around the audience so constructing choreography and blocking that can vary to accommodate a pushed-out chair or big handbag in the aisles has been challenging," she said. "With the actors performing as bar staff, much of the interaction with the cast will be unscripted while they move around, which means there is significant improvisational and character development. But the biggest challenge is making it absolutely believable that the audience is sitting in a dingy space bar. It has to have a certain earthiness to it with lots of little sci-fi touches that make the audience accept they are in the future."

Acting since her teens in the UK, Mackie originally started as a soloist in a ladies' jazz group before emigrating to Australia and working with Marloo, Garrick, Roleystone and Blak Yak Theatres,

In 2010, Mackie made her directorial debut with the musical Reefer Madness, scoring several Finley Award nominations, following it up with the best musical production award for Funny Business in 2011 and more nominations for Avenue Q in 2012 and The Great American Trailer Park Musical in 2014 (also a best costume winner).

Her desire to direct SAUCY JACK AND THE SPACE VIXENS came via the show's production manager Michael McAllan.

"He had seen it performed years ago in the UK and sent it to me, knowing my love for all things bizarre and a little bit naughty," Mackie said. "From the first song I was hooked - it's a really addictive mix of fun, naughtiness and glitter."

SAUCY JACK AND THE SPACE VIXENS plays 8pm this weekend, February 18, 19 and 20. Tickets are $26.50 or $23 per person for groups of six or more (plus transaction fees) - book at www.fringeworld.com.au. Please note: the show is for 18-plus audiences only and haze and flashing light effects are used. Rigby's Bar is located at the rear of 221 St Georges Terrace, Perth.

Photo Credit: Michael McAllan

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