Melbourne’s famous Spiegeltent is back! Now known as Spiegel Haus Melbourne, this amazing entertainment venue has now setup shop in the empty car park of 217 Lonsdale Street in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD. The first production to take up residence at this iconic venue is Blanc de Blanc Encore.
Produced by Strut & Fret Productions, Blanc de Blanc Encore transports you into a world of cabaret, circus and burlesque with a side of comedy and a sprinkle of nudity.
Walking into the Spiegel Haus, the venue was dimly lit with haze flowing around the central stage. Upon the stage was a lone pedestal with a wine bucket and bottle of champagne illuminated by a single spot. The venue filled for the first of two shows on the Friday evening, and the show began with the popping of the champagne and a stunning vocal performance by Australian songstress, Clara Fable.
We are eventually introduced to our two emcees for the evening with Canadians Emile Mathiew and Felix Pouliot. The duo’s opening monologue is some of the funniest stuff I have seen on stage. It’s a ball of a time!
British aerialist Danielle Summers took to the stage with an epic aerial-hoop performance that left me shaking my head in disbelief. Summers’ makes the artform look effortless and span so fast, at some point I wondered if she would ever stop.
The aerial performances don’t stop there. Later in the show, Felix Pouliot returned to the stage with an incredible pole number. Now, normally, pole numbers are performed with barely any clothing on at all, however, Pouliot conducts his routine fully clothed. This was interesting because skin is typically relied upon as a source of grip around the pole. This choice makes his routine even more amazing! The aerial amazement doesn’t stop there, with the pole transforming into a spinning bar that had performers spinning around above the Melbourne audience.
The burlesque and cabaret aspect of Blanc de Blanc Encore comes at the hands of the stunning Georgie Hare and Melanie Hawkins, with accompaniment from Danielle Summers, Clara Fable and even Felix Pouliot. With multiple numbers of full ensemble and a wonderful solo performance from Hawkins, the cast got the packed Speigel Haus cheering, laughing and even participating with an all-in pillow fight at the end of Act One.
Emile Mathieu has been performing with Strut & Fret for over 7 years and is clearly at home on the stage with the Blanc de Blanc Encore ensemble. Mathieu is a natural comic and quite literally uses his entire body to perform. No, seriously, his whole body! There is a hilarious clapping number, but Mathieu does not use his hands. You will just have to head to a show to see what he actually uses! His voice over number is equally as hilarious and his work with fellow emcee is some of the best hosting I’ve ever experienced.
There was one performance I was not prepared for and was not expecting at all. Well, I have seen contortion work before, but nothing from the incredibly bendy and talented Ukrainian Mykhailo Makarovoak. He appeared to disconnect his arm and continuously rotated it around. I was in complete shock, but at the same time, I couldn’t look away. Makarovoak is quite literally a head turning performance and unlike anything I have ever seen!
This show is more than just sit and watch, the cast will pick members from the audience to participate. Whether it be a comedy bit with some crowd work, or quite literally bringing someone on stage to jerk it to classical music (yes, that happened). By chance, I was selected to introduce the one of the performances in Act One.
Emile Mathieu and Felix Pouliot selected me and gave me a line to repeat in my “best French accent”. I honestly didn’t hear what Mathieu had said, and the next thing I know, the microphone was in my hand and spotlight shining in my face. I simply said, “I am supposed to be reviewing this show” and the audience erupted in laughter. Mathieu and Pouliot joked “Uh oh, we’re in trouble now”. Selecting me made my experience even better and selfishly was a top highlight of my visit to the Spiegel Haus.
Blanc de Blanc Encore is easily the most entertaining two hours you can spend your money on. And you will want to come back! I am already planning my return with a group of friends! Having attended shows like this before, I thought I had an idea on what to expect. However, Blanc de Blanc Encore takes this mixed genre entertainment experience into the stratosphere, making it one of the, if not the best, production of its kind that I have ever witnessed.
Blanc de Blanc Encore is currently playing at Spigel Haus Melbourne until the end of January 2026. With two performances on Fridays and Saturdays, there are plenty of chances to see this incredible show!
For more information and ticketing, visit:
https://www.spiegelhausmelb.com/events/blanc-de-blanc-encore
https://strutnfret.com
Photography by Steve Napiza.
