Bigger is better and they don’t come much bigger than the fearlessly flamboyant and fabulously furry Frock Hudson, the queerer alter ego of cabaret comedian Dean Arcuri, debuting this Midsumma for 3 nights only this February.
With high blue hair and a rubber tuxedo fans couldn’t miss Frock at the Midsumma Carnival and now this rocking ringmaster is bringing his band (The Ewoks) to the Melba Spiegeltent.
“The art of cabaret lets me explore so much and now I get to sing and perform on a whole new level with this fantastic character,” says Arcuri. “The hardest part has been figuring out the make up, there’s no amount of contouring that can hide a nose this big.”
Arcuri’s diversity has seen him perform reworked numbers from musical icons including Sia and Missy Higgins, as well as musical theatre with a bass guitar and drums in toe all around the country. His cheeky spirit and reworked lyrics always get a laugh, but with Furrlesque, he’s debuting Frock and going bigger than he ever has before.
With special guests including Tasmanian singing supernova Miz Ima Starr (Australia’s got Talent, My Hearts a Drummer, Sia Sia Wanna Be Ya), Melbourne’s towering 7 foot drag chanteuse and nightclub bon vivant Lady Diamond (North Side Story, Cult), the luscious velvety tones and charismatic stage presence of Opera & Concert baritone Paul Hughes (Opera Australia, Melbourne Festival) and acrobatic entertainer TRO (Fabuland, Thick ‘N’ Juicy) this show will be the furriest bearlesque in town!
2015 saw Arcuri perform his raw one man cabaret, Please Don’t Look at Me (Midsumma), A Midsummer Nights Dean (MICF), Force Majeure’s Nothing to Lose (Dance Massive), and head to Adelaide to host MegaBear (Feast Festival).
“Last year saw me explore who I am as a performer both physically and emotionally under the spotlight and Frock is the result of that,” adds Arcuri. “I’m not using a wig and makeup to disguise anything but instead to expose all my curvaceous talent and have a lot of fun along the way.”
Get ready to rock your Midsumma with a musical madness at the Melba Spiegeltent, Frocks happy ending will tickle your disco balls at the hairiest variety show in town!
Frock Hudson – Furrlesque
Melba Spiegeltent, 35 Johnston Street, Collingwood
Performances: 4 – 6 February 2016 – 8.00pm
Bookings: www.outix.net
For more information, visit: www.facebook.com for details.
Image: Dean Arcuri as Frock Hudson (supplied)