THE BOHEMIAN MASQUERADE BALL is a virulent whirl of wild hedonism, boasting a precarious mix of bands that merge seamlessly with neo-vaudeville performers and cabaret.
This beguiling blend of original local music, performative installations, extreme circus acts and burlesque has Australia on its toes, with TV saviour SBS preparing a documentary for it no less. Such a recklessly unique event attracts all kind of attention according to main man Si Gould, who has been there since the show’s inception.
“We get some freaks,” he says, laughing. “Of all different ages. Our audience has changed, to where it’s become slightly more mainstream… as people know, it’s a place where you can just go wild.”
Gould explains emphatically and passionately his view that the attendees help create a certain atmosphere. “They write the performance of the night and it is just as much up to them to create a good show… people come just to experience it.”
According to Gould, The Bohemian Masquerade Ball was “born out of necessity, three and a half years ago in Melbourne. There were a bunch of bands – renegade circus acts really – that wanted to party and try to make a bit of money,” Gould says, in a seemingly wistful tone. “We rented out bars and rundown halls… and it just got more and more successful. People can expect to do anything,” he says heavily, thinking carefully. “It can be violent, it can be sexual, it can have a tinge of madness. A lot of dark qualities can come out of people and they’re gonna react in ways that they’re not used to reacting. I think we’ll have mixed reactions,” he finishes, laughing (maniacally, I presume – Bossman).
There is a pagan ritual quality conjured by The Bohemian Masquerade Ball, a real sense of flamboyancy and sub-cultural artistic allegiance that links the acts that are chosen to play, including Canberra natives Mr Fibby.
Si Gould is originally Canberran, finishing his academic years at Narrabundah College. In his own words: “I just put on parties, and ran around the country doing that sort of stuff.”
Gould speaks in ardent tones about the event and the beauty of a mask, and why it is used in The Bohemian Ball: “Masks are traditionally used as a way to act out our traumas. It’s a cathartic process. People dress up in full regalia… in order to be something that they are not. And no one can judge. That person is whoever they choose to fucking be on that night.”
Canberra is the first show on the tour of Australia, and Gould says his crew are more than ready to deliver. “We’re really gonna be pushing and encouraging the entire audience as much as possible, and all the crew and all the performers are psyched up for the show. I’m expecting a late, explosive night. I expect to wake up with a hangover.”
As do we all. The Bohemian Masquerade Ball plays out its fun and filth at the criminally underused Albert Hall on Friday September 10. Live music, circus, sideshows and more promised. Tix are $28 from Landspeed and Smiths Bookstore in Civic. Head to thebohoball.com for mo’ info.
