Premier Arts & Entertainment Coverage

Mass Hysteria: 2026 Adelaide Fringe

March 14, 2026

Review by Markus Hamence – Mass Hysteria – Performance date: Friday 13 March 2026. Gluttony, Adelaide, South Australia.

The late-night drag service of pure disco salvation: a glitter-drenched spectacle where church meets cabaret and redemption struts in heels.

From the creators of Madame Martha’s Parisian Cabaret (winner of BEST CABARET, Melbourne Fringe 2024) comes a brand-new unholy communion led by Skank Sinatra, Iva Rosebud and Meg Hickey, joined by their handpicked offerings – fierce & fabulous temptations summoned to tease, electrify and shake the heavens.

Expect live vocals that raise the roof, glittering gowns, disco hymns and laughter. Part sacred, part sinful, all live, loud and liberating. – The Fringe’s most divinely fabulous night out.

Allow me to break down the hysteria below that comes at you on mass…

The late-night buzzy pulse of the Adelaide Fringe often belongs to the brave, the bold, those expecting some ‘skin’ and the slightly outrageous – and Mass Hysteria delivers exactly that kind of glitter-splashed after-dark energy. Taking over the BankSA Theatre in Gluttony, this decadent and slightly bonkers (in a good way) drag-cabaret gathering starring Skank Sinatra, Iva Rosebud and Meg Hickey is less a show and more a fabulous fever dream where disco, camp and theatrical mischief collide.

Completely different to the trio’s ‘Madame Martha’s’, from the get-go, the trio make it clear that Mass Hysteria isn’t about restraint. It’s a riotous late-night ‘service’ where church imagery meets cabaret attitude, where redemption arrives in sequins and the congregation is encouraged to laugh, cheer and surrender to the spectacle. The show plays with the idea of sacred versus sinful – but always with a wink – turning the stage into a pulpit for pure entertainment.

“…this decadent and slightly bonkers (in a good way) drag-cabaret gathering starring Skank Sinatra, Iva Rosebud and Meg Hickey is… a fabulous fever dream where disco, camp and theatrical mischief collide…”
Markus Hamence

Skank Sinatra commands the stage like a high priestess of cabaret chaos, delivering powerhouse vocals wrapped in razor-sharp humour and unapologetic glamour. Iva Rosebud counters with magnetic presence and theatrical flair, while Meg Hickey’s musical theatre chops add polish and vocal richness to the mix. Together they create a trio dynamic that feels electric – a swirling collision of drag brilliance, camp theatrics and genuine vocal firepower.

The night doesn’t stop there. Special guests Tash York and Gogo Bumhole crash the party with gleeful irreverence, dialling up the unpredictability and reminding the audience that Fringe cabaret thrives on glorious, spontaneous mayhem. Their appearances inject fresh bursts of energy that keep the show feeling loose, alive and deliciously unhinged.

Visually, Mass Hysteria is a shimmering playground of glittering gowns, cheeky choreography and tongue-in-cheek religious iconography. The production leans fully into the aesthetic of disco-infused drag theatre – bold lighting, dramatic costumes and enough sparkle to light up Rymill Park. The vibe is celebratory and rebellious all at once, with the performers revelling in the joy of being loud, glamorous and unapologetically theatrical.

“Mass Hysteria feels like the Fringe distilled into one fabulous hour – glitter, vocals, sass and just the right amount of late-night chaos…”
Markus Hamence

What truly lifts the show is its sense of community. Beneath the camp spectacle and cheeky satire sits a clear message about joy, diversity and the power of gathering together to celebrate life. The performers invite the audience into the madness, transforming the room into a temporary sanctuary of laughter, music and shared energy.

By the time the final number lands, Mass Hysteria feels like the Fringe distilled into one fabulous hour – glitter, vocals, sass and just the right amount of late-night chaos.

Wrap-up: Mass Hysteria is a sparkling cabaret sermon for the sinners, the show-tune lovers and anyone ready to worship at the altar of drag brilliance. At the Adelaide Fringe, salvation has never looked this fabulous.