It is Melbourne’s newest entertainment precinct (off Lonsdale Street), with a sizzling hot new show, involving seven spirited performers. I speak of Spiegel Haus Melbourne and the adults only, risqué cabaret Blanc de Blanc Encore. It is slick, sexy and in your face – in short, a walk on the wild side – with audience involvement turned up to scorching. And it works … magnificently, providing patrons with an experience they are not likely to forget in a hurry.
Driving the action are two Canadian emcees with a decidedly French bent – the statuesque Emile Mathieu and the dynamic Felix Pouliot. They are the yin and yang of this production. When we arrive, champagne is positioned centre stage in a silver-coloured ice bucket, over which is draped a small white towel. An artiste pops the cork and signals the good times to come, glasses at the ready.
To musical accompaniment and smooth moves, the cast freely mingles with the crowd in the ornately designed Belgian Spiegel tent. Dressed to the nines, Emile and Felix begin their banter, engaging with the audience, the latter clambering over occupied seats with his “agates” exposed. Embarrassingly funny stuff! The tone has been set.
Popular Western and French songs are a mainstay of Blanc de Blanc Encore and go down a treat. So, too, glittering, racy costuming and a cavalcade of richly coloured lighting, mixed with amped up sound. These are the backdrop to an array of show girls, dancers, a songstress, an outstanding aerial hoop performer and a head-turning contortionist. I speak of Aussies Clara Fable, Melanie Hawkins and Flynn Miller, Danielle Summers from the UK and Ukrainian Mykhailo Makarovoak.
They, along with the emcees, drive a rich assortment of hot and spicy acts. These range from the culinary (think grape tossing and sharing) to the ribald (a naked man, behind a small representation of the French flag, making music with his shaft and goolies). There is free for all pillow fighting, faux masturbation, and champers, bubbles and a rotating pole dancing routine that is next level extreme.
So, the outrageous to the deliciously indecent are on show – all this and more inside a provocative hour and 45 minutes, including interval. What a delight! The Spiegel tent is one of several venues within Spiegel Haus Melbourne, which includes a black box theatre and an open-air activation space. Blanc de Blanc Encore is booked for at least a three-month season. To find out more and to secure your tickets, go to https://www.spiegelhausmelb.com/events/blanc-de-blanc-encore
Alex First
Other reviews you might enjoy:
- Maho Magic Bar, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne – magic review
- Tomfoolery (Melbourne Fringe) – theatre review
- Grant Busé: SentiMENTAL!
Alex First is the editor of The Blurb. Alex is a Melbourne based journalist and communications specialist. He also contributes to The Blurb on film and theatre.