- Liane Morris
An Immersive & Magical Journey…
FOR THOSE OF US WHO LIVE IN NEWCASTLE, WE KNOW IT'S A SPECIAL PLACE, BUT IT'S ABOUT TO BECOME EVEN MORE SPECIAL WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE SPIEGELTENT, STRAIGHT FROM ADELAIDE FRINGE, PRESENTING BLANC DE BLANC ENCORE FROM 31 MARCH TO 1 MAY.
Produced by Strut & Fret under the direction of Scott Maidment, Spiegeltent has established a beautiful relationship with the city of Newcastle and has been touring shows here since at least 2013. Novocastrians are some of the most ardent fans of his shows with a seemingly unending appetite for the genre of sensory overloaded cabaret, circus, comedy and acrobatics. This year's planned season has already been extended due to popular demand. Some people purchased tickets two years ago in 2020 when it was originally meant to tour here and have been waiting this long to see it.
Newcastle is lucky to be one of the first places the show tours to after sell-out seasons at the Sydney Opera House and Adelaide Fringe. The Sunday Telegraph calls it "outrageously funny and high energy." City Hub – "high-class cabaret bubbling with surprises." The Plus Ones – "Gatsby levels of sensorial extravagance!" A quick look at the show's Facebook page shows fans begging for it to tour to their part of the world – from London to Melbourne, but for now, Newcastle will be home to the celebrated tent.
Covid has kept the Spiegeltent away for the past two years. The famous tent has been in storage in Victoria and, as its name suggests, is an opulent Dutch mirror tent complete with stained glass which toured through Europe before making its journey to Australia. The tent itself is a critical part of the experience with its old-world opulence that transports the audience to a European cabaret the second they step in the door. It becomes a magical world that you step into, taking you out of your ordinary life for just a couple of hours, fully immersing yourself in a giddy party-like atmosphere – it's a special occasion.
When the pandemic hit, there were seven shows scheduled to run in seven cities all over the world, and all had to be closed down in March 2020. The cast are all international professionals with acrobats and performers at the height of their careers. Going from these heights to having to put their careers on hold was an emotional rollercoaster for all involved.
"All our performers are international and world-class. They come from Paris, Berlin, Montreal, USA and Australia," said Scott Maidment, Director.
"Covid meant that all these performers had to return to their homes, and the trajectory of their careers just got put on hold for two years. I think that's why our latest show, although created before Covid, now seems to be injected with a new sparkling energy. Blanc de Blanc Encore is bigger and crazier than ever before. It's a sheer celebration of everything that we do. Our performers are thrilled to be back in the game, so they bring a new kind of high energy and bubbling enthusiasm that is contagious and extraordinary."
It was 2019 and pre-Covid when Spiegeltent was last housed in Newcastle's Civic Park. The show was Deluxe Deluxe and was as popular as ever. The tent was also used as a venue for a series of additional featured performers and shows during the run, including Wil Anderson, Carlotta, Joel Creasey, Dave Hughes and Djuki Mala. It's an indication of just how extravagant and amazing the new Blanc de Blanc Encore is that it doesn't have room for any of these additional performances this time around.
Based on the original Blanc de Blanc, which ran in 2018 at Civic Park, the new Blanc de Blanc Encore is a completely new show. It is also based on the theme of champagne but takes it to a whole new level. In the words of Scott, "it's like the original on speed!" Blanc de Blanc Encore pops the cork on a scintillating, steamy blend of breath-taking live jazz, thrilling circus tricks, side-splitting comedy, astounding acrobatics and risqué humour. Audiences can expect all the beautiful champagne-soaked debauchery from the original but with a sophisticated and crazy anarchic energy and audience interaction that changes the performance every single night. Expect to immerse yourself in the hedonistic, glamorous and extravagant world of vintage French flair, risqué humour, spectacular aerials, comedy and big dance numbers and to be part of the action!
Performed almost in the round with no fourth wall, the experience enables audience members to be able to see the faces, reactions and delight of those around them and in front of them, adding to the party-like atmosphere. Performers roam throughout the crowd, and the action is up close and personal.
"When you go to see something like Cirque de Soleil, the show never alters. It never changes. It is the same show every night, no matter what the audience reaction is. At Blanc de Blanc Encore, the performers are so highly skilled that they can alter their performances depending on the audience's reaction and engagement. It is fully interactive and immersive as an experience for our audiences."
Scott is rightly proud of the team he has put together, with many of his performers and creative team having been with him since the original inception of the Spiegeltent shows. They've done hundreds of shows together. Choreography is by Kevin Maher, who is based in LA but travels to Australia and has worked with Madonna, Nicky Menage and Justin Bieber, to name just a few, and set and lighting design is by UK based Philip Gladwell, who has worked for The Royal Shakespeare Company, The English National Opera and The National Theatre among many others.
No expense is spared, and the shows enjoy very high-quality production values. The tent concept may remind audiences of the circus, but that's where the comparison ends because the tent is so unique, extravagant, and extraordinary. The idea of cabaret and variety are reminiscent of burlesque and fringe shows, but these shows sit well above that level of performance and are not burlesque. The content may be adults only, but it's risqué, not rude. The artists are some of the best in the world, with the highest level of professionalism and skill.
"Our shows have the energy and fun vibes of fringe, but it's like fringe on steroids. The skill and talent of our performers, my creative team and our high production values set it way above that level."
One of those performers is Remi Martin Lenz, who is a host, comedian and acrobat in the show and hails from Germany. He graduated from the Berlin School of Circus Arts in 2007, where he specialised in the Chinese pole. He's been with Strut & Fret for approximately six years and was part of the original cast for this production. His comedy and physical theatre expertise are typical of the high calibre of talent the show attracts.
In addition to the Blanc de Blanc show this year, Strut & Fret are also bringing a little bit of Tokyo and the wonder of magic to Newcastle with the Maho Magic Bar. Inspired by the magic bars in Japan's nightlife districts where magicians perform magic at your bar table while you enjoy your cocktails and drinks, it all takes place in a riot of neon and glittering lights. This never-before-seen-in-Australia touring magic bar is a unique experience that people go crazy for. Step inside, and you will find a bespoke and gorgeously refined bar and entertainment space spread across six spacious performance areas. After taking your seat and selecting your drink of choice, consummate master magicians will perform your own exclusive magic show at your table – creating an unforgettable, multi-sensory and interactive experience unlike anything else. There is a whole team of magicians ready to astonish and delight patrons, including:
Kaori Kitazawa - is a young Japanese magician based in Tokyo who has been perfecting her craft for over eight years and is making waves in this male-dominated performance genre.
Sarito – also based in Tokyo, he is a daredevil magician who uses high-risk materials including needles, gaffa tape, detergent, and ... stuffed animals?!
Shohgo Yamashita – he studied at the Kyoto University of Art & Design and is pioneering a new genre of magic that combines story and film production.
Johnny Balance – the ringleader, is based in Melbourne and has a unique style that can see him unzipping men's flys to reveal something no one is expecting or balancing things on his body to the delighted laughter of his patrons.
Jonio – is an international star of America's Got Talent and Penn & Teller: Fool Us, who is also one of Japan's most awarded magicians. Watch out for the weird beard!
James Burgess – from the United Kingdom, this flame bartender has previously worked at prestige venues such as famed party mansion The Manor (serving vodka to the likes of Ed Sheeran). At Maho Magic Bar, James delivers to your table your choice drink: whether that's a sake cocktail, a glass of shochu, or authentic Japanese whiskey.
The drinks menu also provides something different to the standard fare. Sip from a traditional cedar masu cup on the highest-grade Junmai Daiginjo sake; treat yourself to a gorgeous cocktail made with sake, vodka or gin; find love with Nikka whiskey; or savour an Umeshu, a refreshing Japanese liqueur made from an infusion of sweet plums and green tea flavouring. Even non-alcoholic options are available.
Scott believes that with Maho Magic Bar and Blanc de Blanc Encore, several visits to the Spiegeltent will be ideal for those who love the party atmosphere and the decadent experience and that no other performances will be needed in the space.
"People will visit multiple times. Each experience is different, and it's a sensory overload. I guess it's possible to do the Maho Magic Bar and the show in one night, but really, we'd recommend doing them separately to get the most out of it."
The whole experience appeals to a broad demographic – from special occasions and date nights to groups of friends and office workers. Blanc de Blanc Encore is an intoxicating Gatsby-Esque ride that astonishes and delights with its world-renowned brand of opulent, cheeky, edge-of-your-seat theatre, set inside the glittering Spiegeltent and with the Maho Magic Bar on the same site, delivering that Japanese neon Tokyo experience, Newcastle is in for one magical time.
SPIEGELTENT NEWCASTLE AT A GLANCE
WHEN 31 March – 1 May
LOCATION Civic Park near King Street Newcastle
TIME/S Various (check the website). Open one hour before performances
AGE RESTRICTIONS Blanc de Blanc Encore is suitable for audiences 18+. Maho Magic Bar is a licensed venue and recommended for mature audiences 12+. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
WARNINGS & DRESS CODE This performance contains strobe lighting, theatrical haze, one tonne of ethically sourced white feathers, adult themes, coarse language, full-frontal nudity and references to alcohol consumption. If you suffer from asthma or allergies, please take your medications and precautions.
It is recommended you arrive at least 30 minutes prior to showtime, so you can find your seat and grab a drink without needing to rush. Local food options will also be available before the performance. Audiences are encouraged to embrace the dress code – vintage white with a touch of sparkle!
WET WEATHER Performances will take place regardless of weather conditions.
BOOKINGS & MORE INFO www.strutnfret.com/spiegeltentnewcastle
TICKET PRICE $49 + booking fee
MAHO MAGIC BAR Can purchase exclusive tables for up to 8 people, or Premium Bar Seats with up to 3 sessions/sittings per night. Show goes for 60 minutes (pricing varies). It is recommended that you arrive 30 minutes before your session and enjoy the Maho Mini Bar while waiting.
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