Peep Show entertains

Johnson City hosted the Pretty Things Peep Show on Feb. 5 and 6 at The Galaxy Lounge. A combination of burlesque and a carnival sideshow, the Pretty Things Peep Show was a bizarre yet entertaining show full of oddities.

A live band called the Peepin’ Toms complemented the show’s one-of-a-kind acts. The three-piece band performed a few of their original songs, as well as classic songs that went well with the old-time burlesque theme of the peep show.

The band had a good sense of humor, and one of their more memorable quotes was, “Behind every great man is a woman but behind a bunch of half-naked ladies with swords and fire are the Peepin Toms!!”

In addition to the band, the show’s cast included go-go Amy and Donny Vomit The Dapper Dan of Danger, with guest stars Vivacious Miss Audacious and Lil Miss Firefly The Midget of Mischief.

Go-go Amy, the show’s founder, performed a variety of acts that were nearly as fantastic and eccentric as her outfits. Almost un-humanly flexible, Amy was able to fold herself up inside the Cabinet of Death — a large red box in which a number of large blades were inserted, dividing the box into halves, thirds, fourths, fifths … well, you get the point.

Amy was able to contort her body to fit around the numerous blades, her hand occasionally waving out of the box to remind the audience that she was, indeed, still inside.

Amy also performed strip-tease, an act during which she danced seductively and slowly stripped down to bright blue panties and a pair of pasties. The crowd cheered as she struck a match and lit the pasties on fire, shaking her chest as the fire came dangerously close to burning her own skin.

Donny Vomit, a former show host at the Coney Island Circus Sideshow, also performed several dangerous and humorous acts. Almost entirely bald minus his handlebar mustache, Donny was funny and dexterous in his acts.

Donny provided comedic relief throughout the show, telling jokes that had the audience laughing throughout the night.

One of his more notable acts was his sword-eating act. Donny shoved the swords so deep into his mouth that it seemed almost certain that he would either choke or cut out his own throat. During the act, he allowed a member of the audience to come on stage and pull a sword out of his mouth, a feat that he survived just fine. 

Guest stars Lil Miss Firefly and Vivacious Miss Audacious each brought something unique and fun to the show. 

Only 27 inches tall, Lil Miss Firefly brought an impressive  résumé to the stage — previously having toured with Ozzy Osbourne, Marilyn Manson, Slipknot, Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera. 

In spite her short stature, Lil Miss Firefly was able to free herself from a straight-jacket, proving that height couldn’t impede her. 

Hula hoop queen Vivacious Miss Audacious performed contortionist acts, chair balancing, and executed her signature burlesque hula hoop act. 

Overall, the show was a fun and unique experience. 

All of the performers flawlessly executed each of their acts, coloring each one with their distinctive charisma. 

The audience couldn’t help but laugh and smile at the fun brought by the show’s carnival antics and classic burlesque.