Blanc de Blanc Encore Review (Melbourne 2025)

Score

Summary: It's like an expensive bottle of champagne filled with entertainment - an effervescent celebration of spectacle and style that must be seen to be believed.

5

Priceless

It’s time for Melbourne to peer into the looking glass as Blanc de Blanc Encore pops the entertainment cork, blending raunchy vintage French glamour, daring circus artistry, and cheeky cabaret into a truly intoxicating and, more importantly, a thoroughly memorable evening. It’s also playing at the Spiegel Haus, Melbourne’s new Belgian‑inspired Spiegeltent at 217 Lonsdale Street Melbourne, which goes hand-in-hand with this spectacular production courtesy of Strut & Fret, the company behind Blanc de Blanc Encore.

Image Jacinta Oaten
Image Cameron Grant

Blanc de Blanc Encore was devised and directed by Scott Maidment (he also made a cameo), whose show presents a kaleidoscope of amazing performers from all over the world. The show is hosted by two hilarious emcees from Canada, Emile Mathieu, who stuns the audience with his pole routine, and Felix Pouliot, who is one of the craziest dancers that I’ve seen. They are joined by the UK’s aerial hoop performer Danielle Summers, Ukrainian contortionist Mykhailo Makarovoak, and Australian dancers Flynn Miller and Melanie Hawkins with songstress Clara Fable, whose voice was absolutely magical.

From the get-go of Blanc de Blanc Encore, these gorgeous and talented performers swept the audience into a fizzing world of aerial feats, sexy burlesque numbers, and playful comedy with lots of audience interaction, so watch out… and on opening night, it was Dylan who not only got his hands dirty but also became part of a naked human sandwich thanks to Emile and Felix.

Image Cameron Grant

Like other Burlesque Spiegeltent performances, Blanc de Blanc Encore cleverly balances its sensuality with satire, including tongue-in-cheek salacious banter and jaw-dropping stunts that add an old-world mood of both decadence and mischievous fun—priceless. A male body part is turned into a musical instrument and its neighbouring appendages become part of a balls out gag. Seeing Clara Fable mime the five-knuckle shuffle to music was almost worth the admission price alone! There was also a risqué towel act of both male and female performers that almost left nothing to the imagination, but again, it had the audience in hysterics. Add in some hilarious blackout cues with music blaring, then suddenly the lights go out and another performer starts to adlib. This fast-paced atmosphere was perfectly staged, as is the choreography, which ensures every dance number pulses with energy and precision.

Image Cameron Grant

One of the most dazzling features was seeing Danielle Summers swinging just inches above the heads of the audience, executing feats that feel both dangerous and elegant—not to mention pouring champagne into some of the audience’s glasses, with one person getting drenched. What about contortion? I have never seen a head turn so much thanks to Mykhailo Makarovoak—that had many people cringing in disbelief! These incredible stunts are seamlessly woven into the cabaret’s cheeky narrative, punctuated by the comedy and music, ensuring the audience is constantly shifting between awe and laughter.

Image Steve Napiza
Image Steve Napiza

Final Thoughts?

In the end, Blanc de Blanc Encore in Melbourne is more than a show. It’s like an expensive bottle of champagne filled with entertainment—an effervescent celebration of spectacle and style that must be seen to be believed. With its extended season running until February 2025, I highly recommend checking it out because apart from the experience, it will leave you smiling ear to ear from its irresistible charm.