Blanc de Blanc Encore
Bubbles, burlesque and bawdiness, oh my! The talented troupe that is Strut & Fret descends upon Darwin with a brand-new show, set to wow audiences in The Spiegeltent this Darwin Festival.
By Tierney Seccull
Over two tantalising hours of glitz, glam and extravagance, Blanc de Blanc Encore features risqué humour, spectacular aerials, sparkling comedy and big dance numbers. Founding director of Strut & Fret Production House, Scott Maidment, says they’re thrilled to return to the Top End.
“We’ve always had a great response in Darwin … We’ve had thousands of people already book tickets, so it’s really exciting."
Blanc de Blanc Encore last featured in the Festival in 2019 after a highly successful run of Blanc de Blanc back in 2017. With world-class performers from Australia, LA, Las Vegas, Montreal and Paris, Maidment says the new iteration is same, same, but different.
“It’s a whole heap of new acts, but along the same theme of celebration and champagne and sophistication … In the Tent we say the show happens, not just on stage, but in front of you, above and around you, so you can be a part of it.”
The opulent venue sits proudly on Festival Lawn – the Festival’s new outdoor precinct in front of Parliament House – beside Maho Magic Bar, a Japanese-inspired neon-lit haunt with magicians and cocktails.
The Spiegeltent, and the talented entourage within, was pegged to return to D-Town before the C-word put a halt to plans, but much to your delight, it’s back – a request that came through loud and clear according to Darwin Festival’s Artistic Director Kate Fell.
“Everyone wants The Spiegeltent here, everyone said it to me. And I’ve worked with Strut & Fret before and they were really keen to come back. I don’t think people quite realise, with Darwin and Darwin Festival, how many artists want to come here,” she says.
Nightly at the Festival – and beyond, thanks to the exciting news they've extended the season by two weeks! – Blanc de Blanc Encore showcases the sheer skill and physical strength of the performers. With a huge total of 36 shows, often two a night, the cast are athletes as much as they are entertainers. But they’re looking forward to some downtime on some precious days off.
“Most of [the performers] have never been to Darwin before, and they’re really pumped and excited to look around and explore, and to see the sights … they’re really looking forward to what Darwin has to offer.”
So, if you’re feeling a little boujee and keen to experience some world-class entertainment, take a seat and a sip in The Spiegeltent. Bottoms up!
Blanc de Blanc Encore
WHEN THU 10 – SAT 9 SEPT (EXC. MON)
AT FESTIVAL LAWN
COST $59-$139
INFO darwinfestival.org.au
Thumbnail & Header: Photo by Nick Jones
Inset: Photo by Carly Sare
