Inspired by the drag brunch phenomenon in New York and London, Smashed is a daylight Fringe experience that is definitely for adults only.

Cabaret queen Victoria Falconer, previously seen in the fabulously feisty and fun feminist cabaret show The Fringe Wives Club: Glittery Clittery, loves making shows that exude “hi-glam-pop-disco-sequin energy” while also being open and inviting.

This Fringe she’s coming back to town to host Smashed: The Brunch Party in the Garden of Unearthly Delights’ Spiegeltent. Here, she tells CityMag what we can expect – aside from mimosas on arrival.

Describe your Adelaide Fringe show in 10 words or less?
World-class cabaret, drag & circus + delicious, decadent brunch = perfect weekend show!

Tell us about the drag brunch phenomenon in London and New York that inspired it…
So, the artform of drag and cabaret AND the concept of brunch both have provocative, illicit histories. Originating in the Prohibition days, “brunching” was an excuse for people to flout booze laws and conspicuously day drink (when drinking alcohol itself was seen as illegal and immoral). And with its roots in vaudeville and music hall, drag and cabaret was often found at places where mainstream ideals were left outside; rules around gender were either completely deconstructed or ignored, and cabaret bars gave outsiders a home, both on and offstage.

Around the globe, and particularly in London and New York, drag brunch has become a huge phenomenon since then, most recently with the rise of televised drag shows.  Over my last 10 years living and working on the London cabaret and drag scene I have hosted so many of these gorgeous drag soirees – and I wanted to bring that same madcap morning joy here to Adelaide!

With Smashed, not only are we carrying on this legacy, but we are holding space for a more diverse and inclusive idea of what drag and cabaret can be.

Who are some of the artists performing in Smashed?
We have an absolutely world-class cast who have come together to create this show.

Lizzy Baker is a renowned dancer, choreographer and burlesque performer who has stormed across stages across many festivals, as well as creating and teaching around the country. The drag icon (and reigning Ms DragNation Australia) that is Kween Kong will be serving up gender-bending lewks, inspiring physicality and her trademark sass. And we’re super excited to have the stunning Alex DePorteous ­– queer cabaret artist, club kid and drag troublemaker – tantalising your tastebuds as well.

They’re all South Australian-based performers who are ready to serve it up! There are a few special guests as well, so keep your eyes on our socials for more to be revealed…

We see it’s recommended for audiences aged 18+ – just how raunchy does this brunch party get?
Just because we’re on in daylight hours doesn’t mean that we compromise on what our artists bring to the stage. The costumes are gorgeous, the cast can flirt at 50 paces and the only other thing you need to know is that we may or may not have a full-sized bathtub full of “milk” that someone will get into. COVID-safe and lactose-free, of course! Nobody likes lumps in their porridge…

You pretty much had us at “mimosa on arrival”, but will there be actual food as well?
Yes! We are working with a fabulous local catering company called Bits & Bites, owned and operated by two power boss-women who create the most aesthetically beautiful brunch platters I’ve ever seen. Their plant-based option is actually my fave – scrambled tofu inside mini-hash brown cups? Yes, please.

Will Smashed tickle the fancy of audiences who loved your Fringe Wives Club show?
Oh absolutely. I love making a show that brings the hi-glam-pop-disco-sequin energy whilst also being super joyful, open and inviting. This show will remind people ­– after the year that we’ve all had – that everybody is welcome to sit at the brunch table; when all goes to shit, our community is everything, and that even the smallest wins are worth celebrating.

Tell us the ingredients of your own perfect brunch…
Being a cabaret-theatre-carnie type, I have absolutely no need to worry about mortgage payments, so smashed avocado is definitely on the menu. And I make quite a famous Bloody Mary, which is the ideal way to wash away all transgressions of the night before ­– whilst resolving to continue on throughout the weekend!