Wollombi Burlesque Troupe

Date: Saturday 14 February 2026
Tainted is a Victorian comedy burlesque Opera, set to 90s grunge LIVE music. This hilarious period fusion has pole dance, burlesque, comedy, magic, stilt walking, sexy slapstick, nostalgic 90s music & very little Opera.
The Wollombi Burlesque Troupe are venturing further afield this year with an 8-stop tour of Tainted, their latest extravaganza. Creating shows by locals for locals for 10 years, they are Fun(d) Raising for the first time, February 14 at The Barn behind The Wollombi General Store.
Veteran burlesquer Legs 11.11 & partner Manik Jones join a motley crew of vaudiville performers from Wollombi & it’s surrounds to give the town some OTT, good old fashioned hilarious Victorian entertainment.
Book VIP to get guaranteed front row tickets with a glass of bubbles and the chance to get in on all the action. WGS offering food & drinks!
Saturday 14th February 2026 at 8:00 PM.
Come spend Valintines evening with us! https://events.humanitix.com/tainted-thebarn
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Spotlight on Sophie Cook and Her Wollombi Burlesque Troupe

Meet Sophie Cook, a dynamo who embodies laughter and a love for storytelling. 

She’s the heart behind a burlesque troupe that started as just an eight-week course for local women ten years ago! 

What began as a fun, safe space for ladies to embrace boldness has transformed into a vibrant production company with 11 full-scale themed shows under its belt. 

Sophie’s latest creation, titled Tainted, is a delightful fusion of Victorian burlesque and a live 90s grunge band. Yes, you read that right, think corsets and velvet paired with gritty guitar riffs. 

It’s an unexpected combination that somehow works beautifully. Though the troupe calls Wollombi home, they’re gearing up for their biggest tour yet, with shows planned for places like Sydney, Newcastle, Maitland, Bungwal, and Katoomba. Sophie sums it up perfectly: “We’ll always belong to the Valley, but it feels right to take it on the road. We’ve built something strong here.” She attributes much of her and her troupe’s confidence to the local creative scene, particularly the Valley Artists theatre group. “Wollombi is riotous. It’s diverse. It’s not sleepy at all,” she says, emphasising the community’s rich mix of families, farmers, artists, and more. 

Sophie’s own journey to Wollombi has a touch of theatrical flair. After moving from Sydney to a tranquil spot on Murray’s Run, she discovered her new home was once a Buddhist monastery. And yes, she’s even had a ghostly encounter there. “One night, I woke up to hear feet shuffling down the hall and felt someone at the end of the bed. Not scary. Just… present. I always assumed it was one of the monks checking in,” she shares with a chuckle. 

Ten years later, Sophie’s burlesque troupe is woven into the vibrant fabric of Wollombi. It’s a testament to creative spirit and collaboration. “We started small, but we were never small in spirit,” she states. And if you need further proof of Wollombi’s creative pulse, just catch a glimpse of their corsets and grunge guitars lighting up regional halls!