The Grand Electric, Redfern – Wednesday 14 June 2023
Reviewed by Paul Neeson (Arts Wednesday)
Sans doute, this was the most fun I’ve had at the theatre in a long time. The team at Strut & Fret delivered a high energy, champagne-fuelled night of hilarious, death-defying, sexy, raunchy cabaret.
With the reference in the title, Blanc de Blanc (champagne produced entirely from white grapes), it is no wonder the bubbles flowed non stop, not only into an unending supply of flutes, but also all over the enthusiastic audience as well.
From the moment you enter the courtyard, you’re transported to 1920s Paris, complete with original murals by Max Elbourne. The elegant crowd inspired by the theme, enhance the illusion, and they’re just as ready to wholeheartedly participate in the frivolities as the talented cast of the show.
And what a show we were given. The opening sexy silhouettes morphed seamlessly into our two capable hosts, Félix Pouliot and Danny Wright, who guided us through the evening with plenty of double entendres, and innuendo.
The pace of the show was perfectly curated, conveying us from jaw-dropping circus acts (Caitlin Marion (USA), Emma Phillips (New Zealand) and Léah Wolff (Canada), hilarious repartee from our hosts to supercharged dance numbers and more than willing audience participation. Some very brave (and surprisingly witty) performers were sourced from the front rows.
The soundtrack was truly inspired (think Frank Zappa meets Scissor Sisters), and the audio design using short snippets of famous quotes mirrored by Who Framed Roger Rabbit style whole of body performances was completely spell-binding.
Costumes ranged from 1920s cabaret chic to not much (or none) at all, but somehow seemed to fit every scene perfectly.
And still the bubbles flowed, so much that the very air itself was suddenly soaking in them. And in feathers, and in confetti. By now it’s getting pretty messy.
The raunchy finale had us clapping along and rising to our feet. What a night.
Blanc de Blanc Encore runs to 26 August. Find tickets here.