[THEATRE REVIEW] POKELESQUE @ Theatre Works Review (2026)
Zany and deliberately over-the-top, the burlesque, drag play POKÉLESQUE, featuring improvisation and audience participation, makes for a fun night out.
Written and directed by Rosie Roulette, the starting point is a love of Pokémon, originally released on the Game Boy handheld game console in 1996.
Thereafter, the Japanese media franchise responsible for it released trading cards, an anime series, comics, plush toys, films and much more.
To mark its 30th anniversary, there is now even a Pokémon theme park in Japan.
The concept behind Pokémon – short for Pocket Monsters – is that humans exist alongside creatures known by that name, who have special powers.
Roulette, who is a self-declared Pokémon tragic, has taken her love of the critters to new, ridiculous, totally camp heights in this cabaret comedy.
Put simply, POKÉLESQUE is nerd central.
Early on, attendees are asked to yell out names they would like to attribute to the central characters.
The night I attended Tits Magee, Your Mum and Squirter (being the name of a Pokémon) found favour.
Lucy May Knight is cast as The Trainer (aka Your Mum) and she would dearly love to become a master Pokémon trainer.
To do so, she needs to overcome several challenges in a grand adventure and outpoint her bitter, selfish, experienced rival, a role filled by Adam White.
The Trainer is fiercely loyal to the Pokémon she takes into battle (yes, Pokémon fight each other).
That is The Starter (otherwise known as Squirter), as played by Drusilla Darling.
But The Rival (Tits Magee), who is constantly deriding The Trainer, has a different approach.
Noted for his combative prowess, for him it is about collecting as many Pokémon as he can.
The Rival is the arrogant, self-serving grandson of the all-knowing Professor (Darin Casler), a world authority on Pokémon.
While The Trainer at first takes hit after hit and can’t take a trick, she is nothing if not persistent.
The biggest challenge she and The Rival face, on the way to a final showdown, is that wrought by Team Red Rocket, who take great pleasure in imprisoning Pokémon.
And, truth be told, despite his vicious put downs of The Trainer, The Rival develops an unexpected affection for her and she for him.
POKÉLESQUE is a show characterised by a series of ribald acts, played out against a lot of familiar, toe tapping, up tempo music.
Think bad language, sexual inuendo, cross dressing, G-strings, strip tease and gyrations – all good natured, mind you.
And let me tell you, the cast put on quite the show, which is heartily embraced by the raucous crowd.
Go in with an open mind and come away with a big smile on your face, for – as the saying goes – laughter is the best medicine.
Notably, each cast member has chosen their own costumes and some leave little to the imagination.
Talking of the cast of 15, I found a soft spot for Sy Quinn, who plays The Trainer’s mother and a series of other roles, including The Trainer’s opponents.
Sy brings an endearing tone to their characters and has a beaut sense of comic timing.
Darin Casler, cast as not only the Professor, but a decidedly shady salesman, also resonated with me. His switch from one persona to another was impressive.
And in terms of drag performers, I will never be able to unsee Mx Lucy Furr as Lickitung. I loved their bravado.
The merch associated with POKÉLESQUE, including a glossy, full colour program, is also worth checking out.
All up, I had a wow of an eye-opening time. No sacred cows here – simply a jolly good time to be had.
So, take a step off the deep end and join in the flight of fancy.
Two hours, including interval, POKÉLESQUE is playing at Theatre Works until 28th February, 2026.
Rosie Roulette established GEEK OUT! Nerdlesque in 2017 and as a company led by queer, neurodiverse and disabled artists, it prioritises diverse casting.
The idea is that geeks from all walks of life can enjoy a nerdy night out.
As well as staging their own cabaret shows, they provide cheeky and geeky entertainment for pop culture-themed events.
For more information about the company, follow them on Instagram @leagueofnerdlesque
Review by Alex First Photography by Jayden Byrne