Review: BLANC DE BLANC Celebrates Champagne, Circus And Comedy In The Comfort Of An Art Deco Inspired Supper Club.

Wednesday 20th January 2016, The Studio, Sydney Opera House

Strut & Fret's latest offering BLANC DE BLANC invites the audience to be immersed in the bright shiny world of bubbles, bare flesh and breathtaking acrobatics. The black box space of the Sydney Opera House's Studio is transformed into an early 20th Century supper club. The corner stage features a silver metal worked balcony, atop spiral staircases and a central circular podium sits in the middle of the audience.

The audience is greeted by a suave man in elegant black crystal embellished tuxedo who surveys the audience and pours the first glass of champagne for the night. The troupe of black, white and sparkle clad dancers, each sporting an individual style, open the show in an energetic entrance.

The man in black turns out to be Mairtre D, Monsieur Romeo, who welcomes the audience and covers housekeeping issues in French. He is countered by the awkward looking skinny Spencer Novich who is the antithesis to Monsieur Romeo's well built, sophisticated confidence. These two form the circus standard of Ringmaster and his clown assistant.

The night is a blend of sensual and provocative dances, playing up the lyrics of well-known songs, acrobatics, clowning, contortion and aerial acts that titilate, excite and amaze. The petite Masha Terentieva astounds the audience with a bellhop aerial work over the center of the theatre. Burlesque dancer Emma Maye Gibson stuns with her risqué stylings that see body parts used for very different purposes. Jerome Sordillon flies above the crowd showing off a toned body with a breathtaking Straps routine.

This is an adult cabaret and the warnings that the show contains adult concepts and full frontal nudity are not presented lightly. The VIP Platinum tickets get a seat at the cabaret tables in front of the stage whilst the Gold tickets entitle access to the seating just behind the tables which still have good views of the stage apart from some of the action that takes place when performers are laying or sitting on the stage.

BLANC DE BLANC is a fabulously fun celebration of extravagance and excess that encourages the audience to have a drink, relax, interact and enjoy and is a perfect night out with a group of friends.

BLANC DE BLANC

Studio, Sydney Opera House

7 January - 28 February 2016