Bawdy Open sideshow told to tone it down

Sideshow entertainment at the Australian Open has developed into big business but organisers say one performance involving striptease, swearing and simulated masturbation went too far.

This year a precinct has been set up just outside the main Rod Laver Arena featuring live music, several bars and a mirrored European Spiegeltent.

Inside the tent, dance, burlesque and circus performers from New York have been in action.

The evening show is billed for adults only but Tennis Australia chief executive Steve Wood has demanded that it be toned down. "The one that played last night was not toned down sufficiently and we've taken measures to fix that," he was quoted as saying by local Melbourne radio.

"It's for adults only but the MC who was there went off-script and it wasn't acceptable. We're not happy and we're going to fix it."

The show, entitled Absinthe, has reportedly been described by New York reviewers as "an evening of questionable entertainment featuring fabulous freaks and a variety of vile characters, raunchy dancing girls."

The Australian Open has traditionally been a family-oriented event, held during the school holidays to ensure maximum attendance.

MELBOURNE, AFP