The Velvet Lounge
Performed as part of the Auckland Live Cabaret Festival
The Velvet Lounge is a lush, joy‑filled celebration of glamour and feathers, starring the devastatingly captivating Michelle Kasey and Kiki Kisses. Step into a world where liberation, vulnerability, desire and playful confidence take centre stage. Featuring world‑class burlesque, an electrifying live jazz quartet, and a sumptuous dance ensemble woven together into an unforgettable night.
The Velvet Lounge is a cabaret that wraps you in softness the moment you enter. It feels like stepping into a room lined with velvet, where glamour, feathers and slow confidence guide the night. The show blends burlesque, live jazz, dance and comedy into an experience that celebrates desire, vulnerability and the joy of performance. It is lush, warm and indulgent, offering a night that feels both nostalgic and modern.
The evening is led by Michelle Kasey and Kiki Kisses, two performers who understand how to hold a room with nothing more than a glance. Their presence is magnetic. They move with a confidence that fills the space, inviting the audience to relax and enjoy the ride. The show begins with a classic burlesque routine that leans into elegance. Feather fans sweep across the stage, sequins catch the light, and the performers reveal themselves slowly, with a sense of control that feels both powerful and playful.
Other routines shift the tone completely. Kiki brings humour into the mix, using exaggerated gestures, cheeky timing and unexpectedly layered costume changes to keep the audience laughing. It is a reminder that burlesque is not only about seduction. It is also about personality, comedy and the freedom to be silly. The contrast between the two acts makes the show feel diverse and alive, showing how the performers can move between moods without losing their connection to the audience.
The live music is one of the strongest elements of the night. A jazz band sits at the heart of the stage, weaving sound through every moment. The musicians play with confidence and ease, shifting between soft grooves and bold bursts of brass. The pianist and vocalist, Dillon Rhodes, stands out in particular. His voice fills the room with a gritty warmth and strength, lifting each act and giving the performers a rich musical foundation to play against. His solo moments are a highlight, offering breaks in the cabaret structure that feel refreshing and energetic.
The Velvet Lounge moves between traditional burlesque and more contemporary styles. Some acts feel like they could have been performed in a classic cabaret hall decades ago, with slow reveals, feather fans and shimmering gowns. Others lean into modern drag, sharp suits, bold silhouettes and cheeky character work. The mix keeps the night interesting. You never know whether the next act will be seductive, funny, emotional or outrageous.
Costuming plays a huge role in the show’s charm. There are crinoline dresses that sway like bells, sparkling showgirl outfits, tailored suits, sequined jackets, feather boas, tassels, and all kinds of tearaway clothing. Every piece feels intentional. The performers use their costumes as part of the storytelling, revealing layers slowly or ripping them away in bursts of energy. The colours are rich and varied, shifting from deep reds to bright silvers to soft pastels. The stage becomes a moving palette of fabric and light.
One of the most memorable moments comes from a duet performed by Michelle and Kiki in suits and suspenders. The act begins with sharp, controlled movements, almost like a dance‑off between two characters. Slowly, the energy softens. They move closer, their gestures becoming gentle and intimate. The act ends with them wrapped in sheets, creating a quiet and tender image that contrasts beautifully with the earlier glamour. It is a reminder that cabaret can hold softness just as well as spectacle.
The show also includes moments of storytelling through physical theatre. There are sections where the performers interact directly with the audience, teasing them, inviting them to cheer, or pulling them into small jokes. The crowd responds with enthusiasm. Michelle and Kiki clearly enjoy the engagement, feeding off the energy and pushing the audience to be louder and more involved. It creates a sense of community, as if everyone in the room is part of the performance.
The Velvet Lounge celebrates the history of burlesque while embracing its evolution. It honours the glamour and tease that defined the artform centuries ago, but it also welcomes new styles, new bodies and new ways of expressing desire. Michelle and Kiki are fit, skilled and deeply committed to their craft. Their movements are precise, their timing sharp, and their connection to the audience undeniable. They treat the stage with respect, but they also treat it like a playground.
The show’s pacing is smooth. Acts flow into one another without feeling rushed or dragged out. The lighting shifts with each routine, creating moods that range from smoky jazz bar to bright stage spectacle. The choreography is varied, moving between slow sensuality and fast, energetic bursts. The humour is well placed, breaking tension at the right moments and keeping the night from becoming too heavy or too serious.
What makes The Velvet Lounge truly special is its warmth. Even in its most seductive moments, the show feels inviting rather than intimidating. Michelle and Kiki share their confidence with the audience, encouraging them to enjoy the spectacle without judgement. There is a sense of liberation in the air, a feeling that everyone is allowed to be themselves, to cheer loudly, to laugh, to blush, to enjoy the beauty and the absurdity of it all.
By the end of the night, the room feels transformed. The audience leaves buzzing, talking about favourite acts, favourite costumes, favourite moments. The show lingers in the mind, not just because of its glamour, but because of its heart. It is a celebration of desire, humour, vulnerability and joy. It is a reminder that cabaret is still alive, still evolving, still capable of surprising and delighting audiences.
The Velvet Lounge is lush, playful and full of charm. It is a night of feathers, music, laughter and connection. It is a show that honours tradition while embracing change. It is a celebration of bodies, confidence and the freedom to perform without apology. It is a cabaret that leaves you smiling long after the lights go down.
Part of the Auckland Live Cabaret Festival. Find tickets and event info here
R18 - contains nudity and strong language
Review written by Alex Moulton
