Directed by
Scott Maidment - Musical Direction by Steve Toulmin
Choreographed
by Kevin Maher - Set and Lighting designed by Philip Gladwell
Costumes
designed by James Browne
The
Spiegletent – Canberra Theatre Centre forecourt until 20th May 2018
Reviewed by
Bill Stephens
 |
| Monieur Romeo and the cast of "Blanc de Blanc" |
Performed in
the beautiful Fortuna Spiegeltent, the biggest of the spiegeltents currently
touring Australia, and boasting a cast of world-class acrobats and dancers, all
sporting seriously ripped bodies which they’re happy to flaunt, with or without
the lavishly bejewelled and spangled, costumes, “Blanc de Blanc” provides a
deliciously, decadent evening of sensational acrobatic feats, classic burlesque
and in-your-face nudity.
A discourse
on the pleasures of champagne, delivered
with cheeky insolence by the show’s suave Maite d’, Monsieur Romeo, provides
the through-line for a succession of stunning acts, each more amazing than the
last, punctuated by well-choreographed dance routines, genuinely funny physical
comedy routines, and slickly staged eye-candy.
 |
| Monsieur Romeo and members of the cast of "Blanc de Blanc" |
Like most of
the rest of the cast, Monsieur Romeo began the show elegantly costumed, but by
interval had stripped to black speedo’s to wallow in a bubbling hot-tub, much
to the delight of the first-night glitterati, who literally fell over each
other to be photographed with him, and other similarly attired members of the
cast, in a strange interlude towards the end of the other-wise fast moving
show.
 |
| Milena Straczynski in "Blanc de Blanc" |
Several of
the featured acts have previously performed with Cirque du Soleil, including
the impossibly slender, Spencer Novich, who together with the glamourous
J’aiMime, provided much of the comedy with his unusual mix of mime and
contortion. Contortion also featured in Shun Sugimoto’s astonishing turn which drew
gasps from the first night audience. Milena Straczynski, sporting bright red
hair, amazed with her astonishing strength and flexibility performing high
above the heads of the audience in a glass-bottomed, hotel luggage trolley.
Later she teamed with partner, Hampus Jansson to perform an erotic double act
swinging precariously from aerial straps.
 |
| Hampus Jansson and Milena Straczynski in "Blanc de Blanc" |
Glamorous singer/dancers Laura New and Zelia Rose, together with Fremantle born, Jess Mews, who impressed with her brilliant hoola hoop routine, completed the talented ensemble cast which perform Scott Maidment’s delightful and determinedly decadent confection.
Images by David James McCarthy and Pamela Raith
