12 March 2018

A full program of music, comedy & cabaret for Spiegeltent Canberra 2018

| Sophia Brady
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Blanc de Blanc - Pamela Raith Photography

Blanc de Blanc – Pamela Raith Photography.

Strut & Fret, the company behind The Spiegeltent group have established an annual, world-class, mini-festival in Hobart, Wollongong and Newcastle, and now they’re revealing the beautiful Fortuna Spiegeltent for Canberra audiences.

The full program for the 2018 Spiegeltent Canberra season will include some of Australia’s biggest touring artists, including Dan Sultan, Sam Simmons, The Black Sorrows, Gawurra, Rove McManus, Trevor Ashley, Yana Alana, Livvy & Pete, Gretel Killeen and Celia Pacquola.

These artists will join the adults-only headline act BLANC de BLANC in the Fortuna Spiegeltent when it descends on Canberra Theatre Centre’s forecourt from 26th April – 20th May.

Blanc de Blanc in The Spiegeltent Canberra.

Blanc de Blanc in The Spiegeltent Canberra.

So what exactly is a Spiegeltent?

A Spiegeltent is a large opulent travelling tent, crafted from wood, cut mirrors, canvas, leaded glass, and detailed in velvet brocade. Intended as an entertainment venue, they were originally built in Europe during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, with only a handful of Spiegeltents remaining in existence today. These survivors continue to travel around the world providing the ultimate unique venue, and the one heading to Canberra is one of the biggest and most beautiful there is with private wooden booths.

The 2018 Canberra Spiegeltent Line-up is:

HEADLINE ACT

BLANC de BLANC (Circus/Cabaret)

From the acclaimed creative minds behind Madonna’s recent Rebel Heart tour, BLANC de BLANC is a sell-out sensation, delighting audiences from Sydney Opera House to London’s West End. Now it’s Canberra’s turn for a seductive, immersive and naughty night out inside the Fortuna Spiegeltent. This is an 18+ show, so be prepared for adult concepts and full frontal nudity.

COMEDY

Sam Simmons.

Sam Simmons.

Sam Simmons: Radical Women of Latin American Art, 1960-1985

Think you know everything about the feminist Latin art movement of urban Puerto Rico in the 1970s?!?! Well, think again as Sam Simmons turns this world inside out and upside down.

One of the most daring and unconventional comedians in Australia, Sam Simmons is a multi-award winning showman.

Rove McManus: That’ Me Talking

Rove McManus started his entertainment career as a stand-up comedian and has gone on to become Australia’s most successful talk show host. Now he joins the line-up for the 2018 Spiegeltent Canberra for a return to his comic roots.

Gretel Killeen & The Gretskys: Love Love Klub

The Love Love Klub features comedian, best-selling writer and TV legend, Gretel Killeen and her band The Gretskys in a hilarious, ridiculous and joyful celebration of love and agony expressed through comedy, song, poetry, philosophy and interpretive dance.

Celia Pacquola All Talk

Celia Pacquola: All Talk.

Celia Pacquola: All Talk

A multi-award winning performer, it is Celia’s ability as a writer that makes her stand up so damn good. A comedian who takes stories in unexpected and delightful directions, Celia is sharp, frank, honest, deft and smart as hell.

MUSIC

Dan Sultan

Leaving his incredible band at home, the Killer Solo Tour will see the Melbourne musician strip things back to basics – just Dan Sultan, his piano and guitar.

Black Sorrows

Black Sorrows.

The Black Sorrows

Led by ARIA Hall of Famer and onstage powerhouse, Joe Camilleri, The Black Sorrows are multi-platinum Australian icons with a 30-year history.

Gawurra

Gawurra.

Gawurra

Singer-songwriter and ARIA Award nominee, Gawurra Gaykamangu is a Yolngu professional performing artist hailing from Milingimbi (Yurrwi), North East Arnhem Land. With an emotional and resonant voice, Gawurra’s performances deliver a masterful musical sensitivity.

CABARET

Trash & Trevor- The Best of Trevor Ashley

Trash & Trevor- The Best of Trevor Ashley.

Trash and Trevor: The Best of Trevor Ashley

Lavish and loud, brazen and bold, Trevor Ashley presents an evening of his greatest hits! Known for his knockout performances, this will be the way to kick off your night in style. Together with his live band, TrAshley will sing your favourite diva numbers like you’ve never heard them before. Expect Cher, Tina, Liza and of course Bassey: this will be a diva degustation.

Yana Alana’s Greatest Tits

Queen of queer cabaret and determined to never be a national treasure; Yana Alana is a multi-award winning punk, anti-glamour, cabaret performance anarchist.

Amelia Ryan & Michael Griffiths

Amelia Ryan & Michael Griffiths.

Livvy & Pete: The songs of Olivia Newton-John and Peter Allen

Helpmann Award winner Michael Griffiths and acclaimed cabaret darling Amelia Ryan celebrate the songbooks of Olivia Newton-John and Peter Allen.

Dates: 26th April – 20th May

Venue: The Spiegeltent, Canberra Theatre Centre Forecourt

Bookings: canberratheatrecentre.com.au or call the Box Office on (02) 6275 2700

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