Theatre Review | Blanc de Blanc Summer of Champagne

Blanc de Blanc Summer of Champagne

Conceived and Directed by Scott Maidment

Producers: Strut & Fret

Photo credit: Cliff Philipiah

The Grand Electric 199 Cleveland Street, Surry Hills

Reviewed by Ron Lee, CSP

The Grand Electric is Sydney’s purpose-decorated theatrical venue. In the 1980s it was The Performance Space, one of the grottiest theatrical venues in Sydney. It went dark for a few years and then became the Giant Dwarf that staged student improv shows. 

Production house Strut & Fret has made the venue unrecognisable in a good way. It now looks like an early twentieth century French cabaret hall. Some theatrical types might describe the décor as “piss-elegant”. The old, small proscenium arch stage projects into the auditorium. The bentwood chairs add to the atmosphere and provide the space with versatile seating options. For the current show, the performing areas are the main stage, a smaller, circular stage in the audience and all parts of the auditorium.

In Blanc de Blanc Summer of Champagne, seven outstanding artistes from all over the world perform burlesque, cabaret, dance, acrobatics, vaudeville and the circus arts.

The MCs pull it all together. Tara Boom has an amazing flair and great face for comedy, and some of her stunts are absolutely disgusting in a fun way. On the opening night she provoked many vocal reactions from the audience. “Eeee-eew” was a frequent one. Her circus skills are also impressive. Her parasol juggling routine is straight out of Peking Opera where Jackie Chan and Sammo Hung trained and it had links with Bruce Lee and Michelle Yeoh.

The other MC, American "Frenchie" Alexander Makardish from Los Angeles is also multitalented. While Piaf's Non, je ne regrette rien plays, he accompanies the song on his rhythmic penis. Stay away from this show if nudity offends you. Not saying that if you sit too close you run the risk of being hit, but the man is impressive.

Montreal Canadian Corentin Lemaitre Auger and Marie Lebot from Nantes in France have performed their Duo Trapeze and Duo Straps act all over the world. While upside down, Lebot pours champagne audience members’ glasses from a huge bendy pole that lurches into the auditorium.

Melbourne’s gorgeous Melanie Hawkins has a magnificent set of pipes and does all of the heavy lifting when it comes to live the singing. 

I would swear that world champion contortionist Misha Markov is triple joined. He could probably fold himself up, insert himself in an envelope and put himself into a mailbox.

Then there’s the luscious Abi Wells who has strong stage presence and is an outstanding exponent of the dance. Her mastery encompasses burlesque to classical ballet and all forms around and in between.

This production is really interactive. A feathered cushion fight involves the entire audience, and by the time the intermission comes, the auditorium floor is covered with feathers. Staff are kept busy for the entire break gathering them up.

Spoiler alert: If you sit anywhere near the circular hot tub in the centre of the auditorium you will get wet.

On the first night, audience and cast members stayed long after the end of the performance and the night turned into a party. My companion and I stayed on for almost an hour and we were among the first to leave.

Blanc de Blanc is a fun night out and you’ll be constantly engaged. I’m already looking forward to seeing what Strut & Fret come up with next.