An unapologetically camp cabaret with a capital C.
Big Diva Energy at the Victorian Pride Centre is an absolute triumph of talent and sheer charisma. Part of the Melbourne Fringe, the show stars 21‑year‑old Will Skarpona, who instantly puts the audience at ease with his engaging presence and commands the intimate space beautifully.
Big Diva Energy, created by Skarpona, follows his somewhat autobiographical journey as a graduate of Wollongong’s School of Performing Arts who arrives in Melbourne with big dreams and an even bigger voice, only to find himself grappling with dating apps, loneliness, and the familiar pitfalls of searching for connection.
Skarpona is a terrific performer and knows how to sell a show tune — and the odd Madonna number, for that matter. He held the audience, a mix of gay men and women, comfortably in the palm of his hand, instinctively sensing how far he could push the crowd and when to pull back. Dressed in a white jacket with power‑shoulder pads straight out of Dynasty, he channelled full Alexis Carrington‑meets‑Shirley Bassey energy as he belted out songs like Bonnie Tyler’s Holding Out for a Hero.
Driven by a truckload of camp and an occasionally edgy narrative, the show effortlessly transitions from suburban Wollongong to the Daddies of Melbourne and the streets of New York. It explores themes of bullying, self‑acceptance, and queer identity, ultimately asking: when is a person “too much”? Or is the question itself a thinly disguised form of homophobia?
Big Diva Energy perfectly suits Skarpona’s larger‑than‑life persona and playful touch of double entendre, and the show is bookended by a spectacular entrance to Pink’s I’m Coming Out and a show‑stopping finale of I’m the Greatest Star from Funny Girl — musical choices that mirror his journey and, hopefully, his destination.
Growing up queer in Wollongong with a passion for musicals and divas could not have been easy, and while Big Diva Energy only skims the surface of Skarpona’s story, that is precisely where its greatest potential lies. Further development, balancing its signature camp humour with deeper emotional weight, could render the work both unapologetically proud and quietly profound.
As it stands, Big Diva Energy is a celebration of resilience, family, and coming out as a musical theatre performer. It captures the moment Skarpona lets go of the expectations of others and confidently embraces his path, proving that gay or not, he is destined to be the greatest star of all.
Big Diva Energy boasts a strong, instantly likeable performer and a great collection of songs. With only a few shows left, do yourself a favour and grab a ticket before they’re gone.
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