Blanc de Blanc is the headlining act of MAP 57’s St Kilda Winter Garden program this year. Described as a “sizzling new circus show”, it comes to Melbourne fresh from a critically acclaimed run at the Sydney Opera House, Brisbane Festival and Adelaide Fringe.
Promising the world’s finest cabaret and acrobatic talent, Blanc de Blanc is certainly a circus for adult entertainment, with the exotic and enchanting environs of a Berlin-style nightclub full of big tunes, limber flesh, shimmering lights and a party atmosphere.
Choreographer to the pop royalty of Justin Bieber, Britney Spears and Madonna, Kevin Maher has taken charge of an eclectic troupe of highly skilled performers. In collaboration with costume designer James Browne (with many Aussie TV credits), the sparkle and skill is in no short supply. Sitting at the helm is internationally acclaimed Director, Scott Maidment.
“I always want to do things for different audiences,” says Maidment.“Taking a show to a big audience out at St Kilda is exciting. It’s a wonderful site, next to Luna Park and next to the sea. It’s a great time for celebration and Blanc De Blanc is exactly about celebration.”
The Melbourne venue isn’t without risk though – with many of the target demographic audience residing in the northern and inner western suburbs.
“I think a lot of Fitzroy and Carlton people will love this show so I hope they cross the river. Once you’re inside the Spiegeltent you leave the real world behind. Winter is an excellent time to do this.”
While the show has not undergone any radical and fundamental changes between cities, Maidment is adamant that the show is defined very much by the energy of the audience. Ultimately, each night is fresh because it relies upon interaction between audience and performers.
“One of the London reviews called the show ‘immersive burlesque’ and while I wouldn’t describe the show as burlesque, there’s so much give and take between the audience and the performers. The show happens in, above, and around the audience. It’s an international cast and they really know how to engage and play with the audience.”
Indeed, with the assistance of choreographer, Kevin Maher, a fellow collaborator on Madonna’s tour, Maidment has rallied a cast from Los Angeles, Berlin, Japan, and Australia to have a truly eclectic and diverse party of professionals.
“Bertolt Brecht said, ‘In the dark times, will there also be singing? Yes, there will be singing about the dark times.’ Blanc de Blanc is two hours of pure escapism: frivolous, fun and totally outside your normal life. It can transport you – partly because of the Spiegeltent and also the great performers and the dance. The crazier the world gets, the more people want to find fun and frivolity in life.”
In Melbourne, the current political climate and the city – being so progressive and so culturally diverse and one of the most cultured artistically – provides a perfect place to really embrace the performance and the performers.”
Blanc de Blanc heads from Melbourne to Darwin for a couple of weeks and then back to London. The show has been received by so many diverse audiences and I believe it has a long future ahead of it.
