Dynamic duo Dolly Diamond and Skank Sinatra turn cabaret into a glorious catastrophe with their comedy-musical show The Performers.

The double act Skank Sinatra (Jens Radda) and Dolly Diamond (Michael Dalton) are Australian drag performers known for their camp, theatre-driven entertainment.

The award-winning queens have paired up for The Performers, a hilarious show about two down-on-their-luck cabaret producers who decide to create a deliberate flop so they can claim on the insurance and pay their Edinburgh Fringe tax bills. But when performers are as fabulous as these two, how can they possibly fail?

Dolly Diamond explains the idea for behind the show: “We loved the idea of being on stage for some of the show and then in our dressing room for some of the scenes, creating two different worlds. We’ve always loved the way Judy Garland, Carol Burnett & Che, would sing up a storm but also act out the different scenarios before the number… There might be a bit of a nod to The Producers as well (cannot confirm or deny).”

The show is chaotic, performed with flair and full of affectionate nods to showtunes of yesterday such as “It Had to Be You” , plus a little Kylie.

Skank Sinatra belts out the big numbers, treating the audience to her powerhouse voice, while Dolly attempts to join in, quipping “talk about f***in’ milkin it”. The fizz between them feels natural and generates plenty of laughter. As Dolly shares: “We both love showbusiness and love to entertain. Skank is much more of a triple threat and I’m good at the ‘fake it ‘til you make it’ mentality. We’re both clowns as well, that helps”.

Whilst Dolly might not match Skank vocally, she knows how to play to the audience, and her disturbing rendition of Dolly Patron’s “Me and Little Andy” has the crowd in stitches.

The entertainers bounce off each other and squabble on stage to the point that a mid-show therapy session is required, prompted by comments such as, “I’d rather go straight than work with you!”.

The show moves at a rapid pace and Diamond keeps the audience engaged with light audience improvisation, encouraging them to get involved: “Do give back; it’s not television”.

Dressed in glamorous black, slinky numbers to open, the pair later lean into their vibrant personalities: Skank in Juicy Couture and an incredible high-split metallic-blue number, while Dolly appears in a shocking lime-green ruffled dress that looks like it might have come straight from your grandmother’s wardrobe.

Dolly concludes: “I think we try to bring ourselves with a confident vulnerability. We believe in ourselves but we’re never overconfident, we still crave acceptance and appreciation. Show me a performer that doesn’t “.

The plan might have been for a stage flop, but they’ve failed spectacularly.

3.5 stars

Following their run at Qtopia, The Performers will continue onto the Melbourne Comedy Festival at the Grouse (April 7-12 & 17-19)

For more information visit: Comedy Festival