One of the most joyful offerings at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, The Performers at Grouse is a sparkling, tongue-in-cheek delight from cabaret royalty Dolly Diamond and Skank Sinatra.
Billed as a “cabaret catastrophe of epic proportions” – the show follows Dolly and Skank as desperate producers attempting to engineer a spectacular flop to dodge their unpaid Edinburgh Fringe tax bills.
Naturally, their plan backfires in the most entertaining way possible, with their “guaranteed disaster” morphing into an accidental success. The result is a cleverly constructed spiral of chaos, packed with quick-fire comedy, theatrical in-jokes, and an infectious sense of mischief.
What makes The Performers shine is the undeniable chemistry between its stars. Dolly Diamond brings her signature polish – razor-sharp timing, cutting wit, and effortless stage presence, while Skank Sinatra counterbalances with delicious unpredictability and irreverent charm.
Both are consummate performers in their own right, but together they’re simply electric, bouncing off each other with a rhythm that feels both spontaneous and finely tuned.
Musically, The Performers is a cavalcade of familiar tunes reimagined with a cheeky twist, from It Had To Be You and Money, Money, Money to Don’t Cry for Me Argentina and Me and Little Andy, alongside the delightfully self-aware parody, Whatever Dolly Wants, Dolly Gets. A splash of Kylie adds an extra wink to the audience, rounding out a setlist that’s as nostalgic as it is knowingly absurd.
The blend of live vocals and lip-synched numbers only adds to the show’s charm, leaning into the theatricality, while showcasing genuine performance skill. At just an hour, The Performers is a fun burst of musical comedy that never outstays its welcome.
Dolly Diamond and Skank Sinatra may be trying not to succeed – but in this case, failure has never looked so fabulous!
Dolly Diamond & Skank Sinatra: The Performers
Grouse, 171 Smith Street, Fitzroy
Performance: Wednesday 8 April 2026
Season continues to 19 April 2026
Information and Bookings: www.comedyfestival.com.au
Image: Skank Sinatra and Dolly Diamond in The Performers – photo by Kate Arnott
Review: Rohan Shearn