It’s no secret that Connections Nightclub’s Entertainment Manager BarbieQ likes to raise the bar every time a new show comes to Perth’s favourite queer nightspot, but she’s particularly excited about Roll Call 2 which takes to the stage for the first time this Saturday.
“It has a massive cast, we decided to upgrade from the last show and add some new characters, more so some boys, we thought that would be a nice little addition – having some ‘meat in the factory’.” Barbie told OUTinPerth during the show’s rehearsal period.
Joining BarbieQ, Katya Kokov, Ruby Jewelz, Scarlet Adams and Alexas Armstrong in the show will be Alexander Perrozzi, Haydn Shadforth, Kade Sweeney and Jordan Bright.
While the shows at Connections keep getting bigger and more elaborate, it’s a challenging task because the actual performance space is actually quite small. Barbie said the addition of adaptable platform extensions had allowed performers to do a lot more now than in the past.
“Whenever I think we’re running our of space, I just think back to the old days before their were extensions and remember ‘there are ways.'” Barbie said.
“In this show the girls aren’t on stage for a lot of the show – they’re on top of the boys who are on the stage. They’re on their shoulders or up in the air because all the boys in this show are acrobats. There’s lots of lifts and twirls going on.”
Nowadays we know BarbieQ has the confident, loud and brash performers who takes no prisoners on the Connections stage, but she’s says she was actually quite different when she was in high school.
“I was actually quite quiet, I was still getting to know who I was as a human, so I just stuck with my group.” Barbie said.
BarbieQ said the show focuses on the later part of the high school journey, that time when you start to make sexual discoveries about yourself, and they’ve taken a lot of inspiration from the moves of professional cheerleaders.
“The finale is a really great ‘old school’ classic.” Barbie revealed saying it was a song that would create that perfect Connections moment.
Dress-ups are always encouraged at Connections and BarbieQ has some advice on how to nail the perfect look.
“You can always go with your traditional school blazer or skirt, or your band geek, but to nail a Connections Nightclub school night look you’ve really just go to be a slut and have your arse out or your shirt off!”
People arriving in uniform will get free entry until midnight this Saturday 5th May, and there will be a prize for the best costume.
Roll Call is at Connections Nightclub at 81 James Street, Northbridge on Saturday Nights all through May and June.
