There are times when Geoff and I go to an Edinburgh Fringe show and discover a phenomenon. A visit to C too St Columba’s in 1996 transported us to Saucy Jack’s Cabaret Bar, little did we expect to return another two times that year. We went to see ‘Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens’ twice in 1999 and again in 2002, rumour has it that Jack and the Vixens will once again spread disco beams, glitter, plastic, leather and lace over the 2010 Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

In preparation for this Geoff and I went through to Glasgow to see Star-Light Theatre Groups production. With only three performances we went to the early Saturday evening show 10^th April. Sitting in the Viper club on Great Western Road we were again transported to Frottage III, where we meet sleazy bar owner Saucy Jack (David O’Brian) who’s character is similar to that of Captain Jack Sparrow. Jack oversees the running of the place with various staff members.  Barmaid Booby Shevelle (Gary J. Steel) repressed performer and wannabe Space Vixen, Mitch Maypole (Anthony Burnside) barman extraordinaire whose sticky secret is just bubbling under the surface, Sammy Sax (Ricky McNeil) the club’s resident saxophonist lusting after his own Vixen.   Permanently positioned at the end of the bar we find Dr Whackoff (Steven McMenemy) observing the various dropouts who arrive but studying Mitch in particular.

To say tension is high is an understatement as we hear of yet another of Jacks cabaret performers being found with a stiletto plunged deep into their young hearts.

Following the crash landing arrival of Chesty Prospects (Ashley Campbell), a smuggler of contraband materials such as plastic, leather and lace, Frottage III is bathed in light with the arrival of a band of Space Vixens Jubilee Climax (Juliane Grasekamp), Anna Liabia (Megan Barr) and Francesca Rullo (Bunny Lingus). Having heard of all of the murders and the stifling of talent the Vixens are on a mission to discover the murderer, Jubilee little expecting just what she is about to re-discover!

Passions overflow, relationships created, more murder, flames re-alighted and the murderer discovered and punished. 

All the fun and action is accompanied by 70’s-esque disco music created and designed to get the audience involved.  Gary J. Steel directs and choreographs the show as well as being Star-Light’s Vice Chairman, Secretary and is Booby. Gary had his work cut out as the venue was changed just two weeks before the opening night. Mitch Maypole managed to break a bone on the Friday and Vixen Jubilee soldiered on through the performance with a sore throat and no microphones. Despite all of the trials and tribulations they put on a really fun show.

For information on Star-Light Theatre Group productions go to their website www.star-lighttheatregroup.com. For information on the show “Saucy Jack And The Space Vixens” go to the official site www.saucyjackandthespacevixens.com or the official fan site www.glitterboots.co.uk keep an eye out for the full details of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Production in August The Unlucky Theatre Company www.unluckytheatre.co.uk.