Fury at 'Drag act for BABIES': Semi-naked man in thigh high boots performs bondage routine in front of tots and parents at 'sensory event'

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Footage has emerged of dancers dressed in bondage gear and thongs performing handstands in front of babies and parents at an 'absolutely abhorrent' event.

The CabaBabaRave show brands itself as a 'little slice of afternoon delight' that intersperses cabaret with 'captivating baby sensory moments' before 'ending in a rave'.

Footage showed one dancer, known as Benloader Circus, dressed in bondage gear while performing acrobatic sequences from straps dangling from the ceiling as babies and their parents watched.

The video also shows another act performing a handstand on a chair while wearing nothing but stilettos and a thong at The Flair Ground, near Waterloo in south-east London.

The show, which is part of the VAULT festival, was slammed as 'absolutely abhorrent' and 'sickening' after the footage went viral on social media.

Footage showed one dancer dressed in bondage gear while performing acrobatic sequences from straps dangling from the ceiling as babies and their parents watched

Another act performed a handstand on a chair while wearing nothing but stilettos and a thong

But organisers defended it, insisting it was carefully curated and suggesting the babies would not understand what was being performed - as they argued it provides a 'fun and welcoming space for parents with young babies'.

Now a campaign has begun to get future repetitions of the show axed. 

READ MORE: Hundreds of protesters gather outside pub in support of drag queen story-telling event that is target of rally by demonstrators - weeks after violent clash outside the Tate Britain

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Broadcaster Dominique Samuels, who shared the original footage on Twitter, urged people to contact the company with any concerns over safeguarding. 

CabaBabaRave has a sold out show on March 11, while further events are due to take place through to the end of May. The price for general admission is £25.50. 

Ben Loader circus is a performer who has studied at the National Centre for Circus Arts, specialising in aerial rope. 

Their Instagram profile and website are not currently active - while Miss Lucinda B. Hind, another performer at the event, has set her Instagram account to private. 

On her website she describes herself as an 'actress, woman, star and lover!', combining her training in different elements of the arts such as theatre, circus and contortion to put on a show. 

Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington even waded in on the debate, tweeting: 'I lost quite a few followers for saying that a semi-naked man in thigh high boots dancing in a highly sexualised way shouldn’t be performing in front of babies and it tells me everything I need to know about where society is heading. How do you not agree with me on this????' 

Another critic said: 'Absolutely sickening. What kind of parent would take their child to that?'

A third added: 'Why would anyone think it appropriate to take their kids to one of these events?'

One commentator said: 'More concerned that the parents think that sort of thing is appropriate and took their babies there in the first place.'

A campaign to get the 'drag act for babies' show cancelled is growing on social media

CabaBabaRave has a sold out show on March 11, while further events are due to take place through to the end of May at the Flair Ground in the Vaults near Waterloo (pictured)

CabaBabaRave brands itself as a 'little slice of afternoon delight' that intersperses cabaret with 'captivating baby sensory moments' before 'ending in a rave' 

The VAULT Festival, which hosts CabaBabaRave, posted a statement on Twitter

Expressing disbelief, a Twitter user said: 'What parent (if we can call them that) in their right mind would subject ANY child to this. 

'What damage is being done to this young minds; parents are there to protect children from this type of behaviour. Why is this being allowed to continue????'

Advertising for the show at one pub describes how the cabaret was created by two mothers who 'were constantly looking to be entertained whilst holding a baby in one hand and a pint in the other'.

The promo for a Christmas show at the Fox and Firkin, Lewisham, adds: 'We wanted to create the type of event we ourselves as Mums would want to go to. There’s only so many times you can listen to the f****** Wheels on the Bus.

'We wanted to give parents the experience of a "big London night out".. cabaret, drinks and dancing.. but one you can bring your baby to and still be home for bedtime.' 

In a statement on Twitter, VAULT Festival said: 'We are aware of comments on social media directed at CABABABARAVE, part of the 2023 VAULT Festival programme. 

'The cabaret show is designed for parents, with sensory moments for babies, and is a fun and welcoming space for parents with young babies. 

'VAULT Festival exists to support live performance and artistic talent and is proud to platform events that are welcoming and accessible for all, with audience safety always as a top priority. 

'We stand against the inexcusable threats of violence and assault against our programmed artists, our staff, and directed at the LGBTQIA+ community, and are supporting the affected artists.'