John Waters would be proud of Blunderland, an Australian queer circus/cabaret act that revels in the raucous. With an astonishing bag of tricks and as few clothes as possible, this troupe of sexually charged clowns indulge in jaw-dropping acrobatics after ‘snorting’ a suspicious bag of white powder, discuss hallucinogenics in intricate detail and pull condoms from their nether regions with the grace of Rudolf Nureyev. 

‘If you’re looking for a story, fuck off!’ says the riotously care-free host Eric Schmalenberger, getting to the crux of the show with typical delicacy. This is a context-free celebration of naughtiness that lets its freak flag fly. But much like a Waters production, there’s a very traditional commitment to craft underpinning the surface-level outrageousness and gross-out humour. Every performer in this variety show is awe-inspiringly talented, from prodigious skipping to inconceivably agile hula-hooping to nail-bitingly intense ropework. Class As and clumsiness propel the gags, but the skills on show are undeniable. 

If there are any misgivings about this hour of entertainment, they’re minor to the point of nit-picking. A few of the more seriously presented performances feel at odds with the X-rated frivolity of the overall piece, and a few of Schmalenberger’s stand-up segments (while the stage is set for the next performance) err on the wrong side of time-filling. But nothing dampens the irrepressible mood created in Blunderland. It’s vivid, it’s sexy, it’s hilarious, and very well worth your time. 

Underbelly’s Circus Hub, until 27 August, 9.55pm.