The resident performance at the Spiegeltent at this year’s Brisbane Festival, Blanc de Blanc mixes cabaret, acrobatics, circus, burlesque, dance and more.
Structured as a series of loosely related – and unrelated – sketches; comedy is high on the agenda – as is nudity, both male and female – all in the aim of giving the audience (and it seems the performers) a good time.
We are quickly versed on the irreverent tone of the night when contortionist and modern-day jester Spencer Novich highjacks the opening montage of French-speaking maître d’ Monsieur Romeo.
In fact, there’s a gag where Spencer can’t understand the difference between the French “merci” and the English “messy” – which in many ways sums up the vibe this show – but in a good way.
Created from an inspiration board about champagne, Blanc de Blanc matches the idea of this celebratory drink to a T as it is bubbly and light at first, but the more you drink and the drunker you get – the less inhibitions you hold.
For the most part, the show had the audience whooping along as they happily went along for a sometimes salacious ride with the characters in a sort of pantomime.
However, the aerial tissu act (of course using leather instead of silks) was an undeniable highlight that silenced the crowd as they held their breath with every move made by real-life couple Milena Straczynski and Hampus Jansson.
In a show dripping with innuendo, this was the most sensual act, performed with a genuine affection and physical attraction between two people who have honed their skills in this discipline.
Their chemistry was instantly arresting and you could not tear your eyes away from what was happening above. That, and a similar aerial performance utilising a hotel luggage trolley from Milena Straczynski showed that while we all want to be entertained; we also want to marvel at skills beyond our own.
Finding a way to feature more acrobatic performances like these might have added substance to the program, but would have disrupted the balance of the show which delights in the froth and bubble.
While the show will not be to everyone’s tastes (those who are easily offended should stay well away), those who keep an open mind and possess a cheeky sense of humour are guaranteed to enjoy their night.
Rating: 3 ½ stars out of 5
Blanc de Blanc
A Strut ‘n’ Fret production
The Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent as part of Brisbane Festival
Arcadia at the Cultural Forecourt
Until 24 September
Conceived & Directed by Scott Maidment
Choreography & Co-Creative Design: Kevin Maher
Lighting & Set Design: Philip Gladwell
Musical Director: Steve Toulmin
Costume Design: James Browne
Cast: Emma Maye Gibson, J’aiMime, Hampus Jansson, Laura New, Spencer Novich, Monsieur Romeo, Milena Straczynski, Shun Sugimoto and Masha Terentieva
Brisbane Festival
www.brisbanefestival.com.au
3-24 September 2016
