The Allure Speakeasy at the Old Joint Stock Theatre is not a show you politely sit and watch. It’s one you’re pulled into, cocktail-first (yes, even at 3 pm), with a knowing wink and a raised eyebrow.
The show begins with a sassy wartime number, and with a cheeky “so do you wanna see some tits?” suddenly your perfectly sensible matinee has been replaced with a generous pour of chaos all before dinner, and well before the audience would normally be this squiffy!
From the moment you arrive (via the pub, naturally, already off to a strong start in my book), there’s a buzz that something a little bit outrageous is about to unfold. And of course, it absolutely does.
Full disclosure, I am not an Allure virgin. This is one of many of their fabulous shows I’ve been to across the past few years, and I am constantly blown away by the quality of the performances and production for the price of the tickets – there is genuinely nothing like this outside of London.
At the centre of the madness is Birmingham’s Burlesque Queen, Dominus Von Vexo, serving power, precision and just the right amount of danger. The sparkling diamond in the centre of it all. There’s a confidence here that doesn’t ask for your attention; it demands it, and quite rightly so. Dominus is a born performer; they can dance, they can strip, they can produce one helluva show, darling!
Guiding us through the sass, tassels and more, is our illustrious host Locques La Roux, who has the audience eating out of the palm of his hand within minutes. Quick, filthy (in the best way), and effortlessly charming, he strikes that perfect balance between chaos and control. He’s warm and welcoming, but then also won’t be shy to flirt outrageously or throw a bit of shade at any audience members who seem game. You think you know what’s coming next. Nope, you absolutely don’t. Sit at the front if you’re ‘up for it’, if you catch my drift!
The acts themselves? A full-on variety feast. We swing from Enrico Touche’s brilliantly ridiculous character work which has my companion and me absolutely crying with laughter, to Sofeya’s genuinely jaw-dropping sword balancing (I will not be trying that at home), via Tristan Treble’s slick theatrical flair and Amarise’s more grounded, quietly powerful and heated moment that cuts through the glitter, not forgetting Vinca De Fleur’’s hilarious creeping around the stage and Mimi Mariama’s devilish dancing. I simply cannot pick a favourite act from this incredible troupe; they are all killer.
Right, let’s talk about the look of it all, because subtle, this is not. The costumes do not so much enter as ARRIVE. It’s Prohibition glamour DRAGGED and gloriously hurled into 2026, and it knows exactly what it’s doing. Much of that visual magic is due to Mimi Mariama, who not only appears throughout the show but also designed many of the costumes, and it shows.
What really elevates The Allure Speakeasy, though, is its atmosphere. This isn’t a show that keeps you at arm’s length; it leans in. Hard. The audience is part of the fabric of the night, whether that’s through cheeky interactions, shared laughter, or that unmistakable sense that everyone in the room is in on the same joke. Every member of the team, host, performers, and even the engineer, is having a ball and clearly working so in sync together.
Underneath all the glamour and silliness, there’s something more grounded: a celebration of queer artistry that feels joyful, defiant, and completely unfiltered. It’s not trying to be anything other than exactly what it is, and that’s what makes it land. Including some very clever set pieces, such as a cutting yet hilarious take on the harsh realities of using dating apps from Dominus and a playful ‘paint stripper’ act from Tristan.
What’s particularly exciting is that this isn’t just a one-off success story. The team behind it, led by Dominus Von Vexo, is steadily building something much bigger for the city’s cabaret scene, including the hugely anticipated Birmingham Drag and Burlesque Festival. If The Allure Speakeasy is anything to go by, the city’s scene is in very good hands.
By the time the curtain call hits, the room feels warmer, louder, and a great deal looser than when it started. Not bad for a Saturday afternoon. I would have been tempted to stay for the evening show too if it wasn’t already sold out!
The Allure Speakeasy is bold, brash, knowing, glamorous and just the right amount of unhinged.
If you love burlesque, drag or cabaret or all of the above, you’d be mad to miss it.
5 stars!
Words by Mazzy Snape for Grapevine Birmingham