{"id":172591,"date":"2026-11-02T10:32:54","date_gmt":"2026-11-02T00:32:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/?p=172591"},"modified":"2026-11-02T10:37:09","modified_gmt":"2026-11-02T00:37:09","slug":"schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Schadenfreude Cabaret, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne – cabaret review"},"content":{"rendered":"

Craig McLachlan makes a triumphant return to the big stage in a mad-capped cabaret show in the Black Box Theatre at Spiegel Haus Melbourne. As the star attraction, one should never forget what a natural and talented performer he is. McLachlan sings up a storm and acts up beautifully. He leans heavily (and commendably) into the risqu\u00e9, 18+ material and makes it his own.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Photos by Pickup Josh<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

McLachlan has an easy-going rapport with the enthusiastic audience, making the most of the healthy number of double entendres that are integral to the offering. He plays Dr Schadenfreude, a medico involved in some decided quackery, treating patients with a variety of ailments. Alongside him is nurse Von Helga (Stellar Perry), who brings her glorious vocals to bear on Wind Beneath My Wings, among other tunes. But, truth be told, Von Helga is also a dominatrix.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The pleasure\/pain nexus is a critical component of this fun-filled, tongue-in-cheek show. Of course, a definition of schadenfreude is the experience of pleasure that comes from learning about the troubles, pain or humiliation of others.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Kristian Lavercombe is cast as chronically nervous and apprehensive Hanz Ziety, when he visits the good doctor. He later reappears as the most famous psychoanalyst of all time. Magnus Danger Magnus plays a physician magician who has a bad case of the runs. He too makes a later appearance \u2013 in his case having shed all his inhibitions. Oh my! Van Nguyen is a bespectacled ventriloquist who is about to be separated \u2013 by chainsaw \u2013 from “her” twin.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Brendan Irving and Janet Mayer are an accomplished duet on the aerial ring. Irving and Monsters kINC also play out the most bizarre date, with Monsters kINC dressed to the nines as an eye-catching praying mantis who stakes out her territory. Apart from the roles I have already outlined, the six are all part of an ensemble that harmonises delightfully and makes all the right dance moves.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

All this, with some particularly catchy songs \u2013 covers and original numbers \u2013 to the strains of an engaging and entertaining band. Its members have an important role to play in giving Dr Schadenfreude a bit of curry and that goes down a treat. I speak of Sarah Nandagopan on keys and the musical director. Her husband, Jayan, is on trombone. Marc Lucchesi is on sax and his brother, Luca, on bass. On guitar is Kumar Shome, with Kane Watts on drums. Music supervision is by Vanessa Scammell.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The costuming, in a palette of black, white, grey, maroon and red , too, is worthy of mention \u2013 some of it sexy and salacious. And the stage is populated by resonant, older style wooden furnishings and a large world globe. On the night I attended, McLachlan not only delivered the way he always has, but proved how adept he was at handling two patrons who were overly refreshed. As it was, audience interaction gave the production extra bite.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Written by Marc Lucchesi and Sarah and Jay Nandagopan, Schadenfreude Cabaret is a heady mix of music, burlesque, circus, magic and comedy. It is off the wall material that generates plenty of laughs for the broad minded, at whom the show is aimed. As it beds down, its pacing will undoubtedly quicken, which is the one area they still need to work on, but it is important to note that I attended a preview. Still, there was much to enjoy and no shortage of surprises. Always love those.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

And, to return to where I started, it was so good to see that Craig McLachlan hasn\u2019t lost his edge and is back in fine form. Two hours including interval, Schadenfreude Cabaret is on at the Black Box Theatre at Spiegel Haus Melbourne until year’s end.<\/p>\n

Alex First<\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Craig McLachlan makes a triumphant return to the big stage in a mad-capped cabaret show in the Black Box Theatre at Spiegel Haus Melbourne. As the star attraction, one should never forget what a natural and talented performer he is. McLachlan sings up a storm and acts up beautifully. He leans heavily (and commendably) into…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":172592,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[804,801],"tags":[11833,11832,11382],"class_list":["post-172591","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music","category-theatre","tag-craig-mclachlan","tag-schadenfreude-cabaret","tag-spiegel-haus-melbourne"],"yoast_head":"\nSchadenfreude Cabaret, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne - cabaret review -<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Schadenfreude Cabaret, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne - cabaret review -\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Craig McLachlan makes a triumphant return to the big stage in a mad-capped cabaret show in the Black Box Theatre at Spiegel Haus Melbourne. As the star attraction, one should never forget what a natural and talented performer he is. McLachlan sings up a storm and acts up beautifully. He leans heavily (and commendably) into...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-11-02T00:32:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-11-02T00:37:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/rsz_img_9908.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"800\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"600\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Alex First\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Alex First\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Alex First\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/485a03a567664eed5233363f88ed35a4\"},\"headline\":\"Schadenfreude Cabaret, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne – cabaret review\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-11-02T00:32:54+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-11-02T00:37:09+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":638,\"commentCount\":0,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/11\\\/rsz_img_9908.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1\",\"keywords\":[\"Craig McLachlan\",\"Schadenfreude Cabaret\",\"Spiegel Haus Melbourne\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Music\",\"Theatre\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\\\/\",\"name\":\"Schadenfreude Cabaret, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne - cabaret review -\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/11\\\/rsz_img_9908.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-11-02T00:32:54+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-11-02T00:37:09+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/485a03a567664eed5233363f88ed35a4\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/11\\\/rsz_img_9908.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/11\\\/rsz_img_9908.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1\",\"width\":800,\"height\":600},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Schadenfreude Cabaret, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne – cabaret review\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/\",\"name\":\"\",\"description\":\"Australian arts & entertainment reviews\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/485a03a567664eed5233363f88ed35a4\",\"name\":\"Alex First\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d6c07f6ab1e27d55a9fc81f09b51709069a83a382270fbe4f25a1b8ffec9185f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d6c07f6ab1e27d55a9fc81f09b51709069a83a382270fbe4f25a1b8ffec9185f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/d6c07f6ab1e27d55a9fc81f09b51709069a83a382270fbe4f25a1b8ffec9185f?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Alex First\"},\"description\":\"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.\",\"sameAs\":[\"http:\\\/\\\/firstcommunications.com.au\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/theblurb.com.au\\\/wp\\\/author\\\/alexfirst\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Schadenfreude Cabaret, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne - cabaret review -","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Schadenfreude Cabaret, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne - cabaret review -","og_description":"Craig McLachlan makes a triumphant return to the big stage in a mad-capped cabaret show in the Black Box Theatre at Spiegel Haus Melbourne. As the star attraction, one should never forget what a natural and talented performer he is. McLachlan sings up a storm and acts up beautifully. He leans heavily (and commendably) into...","og_url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/","article_published_time":"2026-11-02T00:32:54+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-11-02T00:37:09+00:00","og_image":[{"width":800,"height":600,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/rsz_img_9908.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Alex First","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Alex First","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/"},"author":{"name":"Alex First","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/#\/schema\/person\/485a03a567664eed5233363f88ed35a4"},"headline":"Schadenfreude Cabaret, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne – cabaret review","datePublished":"2026-11-02T00:32:54+00:00","dateModified":"2026-11-02T00:37:09+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/"},"wordCount":638,"commentCount":0,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/rsz_img_9908.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1","keywords":["Craig McLachlan","Schadenfreude Cabaret","Spiegel Haus Melbourne"],"articleSection":["Music","Theatre"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/","url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/","name":"Schadenfreude Cabaret, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne - cabaret review -","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/rsz_img_9908.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1","datePublished":"2026-11-02T00:32:54+00:00","dateModified":"2026-11-02T00:37:09+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/#\/schema\/person\/485a03a567664eed5233363f88ed35a4"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/rsz_img_9908.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/rsz_img_9908.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1","width":800,"height":600},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/schadenfreude-cabaret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Schadenfreude Cabaret, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne – cabaret review"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/#website","url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/","name":"","description":"Australian arts & entertainment reviews","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/#\/schema\/person\/485a03a567664eed5233363f88ed35a4","name":"Alex First","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d6c07f6ab1e27d55a9fc81f09b51709069a83a382270fbe4f25a1b8ffec9185f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d6c07f6ab1e27d55a9fc81f09b51709069a83a382270fbe4f25a1b8ffec9185f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/d6c07f6ab1e27d55a9fc81f09b51709069a83a382270fbe4f25a1b8ffec9185f?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Alex First"},"description":"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.","sameAs":["http:\/\/firstcommunications.com.au"],"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/author\/alexfirst\/"}]}},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":167938,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/blanc-de-blanc-encore-strut-fret-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-cabaret-review-warning-contains-some-coarse-content\/","url_meta":{"origin":172591,"position":0},"title":"Blanc de Blanc Encore (Strut & Fret), at Spiegel Haus Melbourne – cabaret review (warning: contains some coarse content)","author":"Alex First","date":"November 8, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"It is Melbourne\u2019s 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, risqu\u00e9 cabaret Blanc de Blanc Encore. It is slick, sexy and in your face \u2013 in short, a walk on the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Music"","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rsz_1photo_credit_cameron_grant_parenthesy_blancdeblancencore_pnc6064-30_hr.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rsz_1photo_credit_cameron_grant_parenthesy_blancdeblancencore_pnc6064-30_hr.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rsz_1photo_credit_cameron_grant_parenthesy_blancdeblancencore_pnc6064-30_hr.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rsz_1photo_credit_cameron_grant_parenthesy_blancdeblancencore_pnc6064-30_hr.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":172422,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/la-ronde-strut-fret-at-melbourne-spiegel-haus-cabaret-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":172591,"position":1},"title":"La Ronde (Strut & Fret) at Melbourne Spiegel Haus – cabaret review","author":"Alex First","date":"October 28, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"International circus and cabaret artistry par excellence is the treat that awaits you in the risqu\u00e9 18+ show La Ronde. To a decidedly up-tempo beat, seven fine exponents of their craft strut their stuff on and around a small, circular, mirrored stage. Being theatre in the round, everything is up\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Theatre"","block_context":{"text":"Theatre","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/theatre\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rsz__pnc7072_parenthesy-357_lr.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rsz__pnc7072_parenthesy-357_lr.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rsz__pnc7072_parenthesy-357_lr.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/rsz__pnc7072_parenthesy-357_lr.jpg?fit=800%2C534&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":168126,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/maho-magic-bar-at-spiegel-haus-melbourne-magic-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":172591,"position":2},"title":"Maho Magic Bar, at Spiegel Haus Melbourne – magic review","author":"Alex First","date":"November 28, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"An array of cocktails, mocktails and sleight of hand at close quarters, with some hijinks and a party atmosphere to boot. That is what in store for you when you step into the Japanese Magic Bar experience. As you order your drinks, seated at five \u201cstations\u201d \u2013 a table and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Theatre"","block_context":{"text":"Theatre","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/theatre\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rsz_maho_magic_bar_photo_jeff_busby_380-2.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rsz_maho_magic_bar_photo_jeff_busby_380-2.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rsz_maho_magic_bar_photo_jeff_busby_380-2.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rsz_maho_magic_bar_photo_jeff_busby_380-2.jpg?fit=800%2C533&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":167657,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/2025-melbourne-fringe-festival\/","url_meta":{"origin":172591,"position":3},"title":"2025 Melbourne Fringe Festival – theatre, music, comedy, dance","author":"Alex First","date":"October 3, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"From cabaret to comedy, music to dance, theatre to the visual arts and a lot more, diversity is the key to the 2025 Melbourne Fringe Festival. That was on display at the opening night gala at the Capitol Theatre, which gave us a taste of the almost 500-strong show lineup\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Music"","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/rsz_img_0118.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/rsz_img_0118.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/rsz_img_0118.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/rsz_img_0118.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":169785,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/bernie-dieters-club-kabarett-at-meat-market-cabaret-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":172591,"position":4},"title":"Bernie Dieter\u2019s Club Kabarett, at Meat Market – cabaret review","author":"Alex First","date":"April 27, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Adult entertainment at its glorious, risqu\u00e9, musical and side-splitting best. That is what you are in for when you enter the house of debauchery that is Bernie Dieter\u2019s Club Kabarett. Leaving little to the imagination, it is slick, sexy, salacious and oh so much fun. It is a superbly orchestrated\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Music"","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/rsz_1img_9786.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/rsz_1img_9786.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/rsz_1img_9786.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/rsz_1img_9786.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":168822,"url":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/pipers-playhouse-crown-melbourne-cabaret-review\/","url_meta":{"origin":172591,"position":5},"title":"Piper\u2019s Playhouse (Crown Melbourne) – cabaret review","author":"Alex First","date":"January 25, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Champagne with hot acts in the hedonistic spirit of Montmartre is all the go at Piper\u2019s Playhouse at Crown Melbourne after hours. Accompanied by an alluring soundtrack \u2013 part French, part English \u2013 sultry performers steam up the night in an intimate burlesque cabaret show. It is a good-natured walk\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Music"","block_context":{"text":"Music","link":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/category\/music\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rsz_img_5622.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rsz_img_5622.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rsz_img_5622.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/rsz_img_5622.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/rsz_img_9908.jpg?fit=800%2C600&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172591","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=172591"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/172591\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/172592"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=172591"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=172591"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/theblurb.com.au\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=172591"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}