Circus-cabaret Spectacular, La Ronde Makes Its Melbourne Debut At Spiegel Haus This October

Feature-La Ronde

The five-star circus cabaret sensation from Strut & Fret, the creators of Blanc de Blanc Encore and Late Night Vice, arrives in Melbourne for the first time, following a huge national tour.

Melbourne, get ready to surrender to the spectacular.

Following critically acclaimed seasons across Australia and a swag of five-star reviews, La Ronde will make its highly anticipated Melbourne debut at Spiegel Haus Melbourne from Wednesday 21 October, bringing its intoxicating blend of world-class circus, cabaret, comedy, live music, glamour and jaw-dropping physical artistry to the heart of the CBD. The Melbourne season follows hot on the heels of an extended 260-show residency in Sydney where La Ronde has racked up more than 1600 five-star audience reviews.

From the internationally renowned creators of Blanc de Blanc Encore and Late Night Vice, La Ronde brings together some of the world’s most extraordinary circus performers for one whirlwind night of spectacle, seduction and skill.

Inside the velvet-draped Spiegeltent, audiences are invited into a world where glittering bodies spin overhead, gravity is defied and the impossible becomes reality.

“Saucy, sensational and undeniably sexy.” ★★★★★ The Advertiser
“All-killer no-filler.” ★★★★★ THE LIST
“Glitz, glamour and incredible displays of talent.” ★★★★★ The AU Review
“If you only see one show (at Adelaide Fringe), make it La Ronde.” ★★★★★ Time Out

Featuring an international cast of elite performers, La Ronde is a high-energy collision of circus, cabaret, comedy and live music, with breathtaking aerial acts, feats of strength, acrobatics, comedy and artistry performed up close and personal in the intimate surrounds of the Spiegeltent.

Among them:
– Acrobat and cabaret artist – Adam Malone (Australia)
– Fire-loving provocateur – Danik Abishe (Australia)
– Guerilla Comedy artist – David Erikson (Sweden)
– Pyramid trapeze aerialist – Diana Bondarenko (Ukraine)
– Singer and dancer – Dorival Junco (Cuba)
– Flying pole virtuoso – Sergiy Mishchurenko (Ukraine)
– Hair-hanging sensation – Zoe Kelly (New Zealand)

Strut & Fret and La Ronde Producer, Jess Copas hinted at what to expect:
“Every act in La Ronde pushes the boundaries of what the human body can do, combining extraordinary technique with humour, sensuality, danger and a healthy dose of irreverence. And with the action taking place on and around a central stage (hence the name La Ronde/The Round), the show feels very intimate as the performers are never far away.”

The result is a night of circus, cabaret and pure physical artistry that is as glamorous as it is outrageous.

Spiegel Haus Melbourne Creative Director Chris Mitchell said Melbourne audiences were in for something unlike anything they had experienced at the venue before.
“La Ronde is everything we love about live entertainment. It is bold, glamorous, cheeky, surprising and incredibly skilful, with some of the world’s most extraordinary performers bringing the stage to life right in front of the audience.

“We have watched La Ronde build an incredible following around Australia and we can’t wait for Melbourne audiences to experience it for themselves.”

REVIEWS: A SPECTACLE THAT HAS AUDIENCES TALKING

After receiving 11 five-star reviews in its debut season at Adelaide Fringe 2025, the production has continued to attract critical acclaim.

The accolades have continued, with Australian arts and entertainment publications embracing the production’s extraordinary combination of physical artistry, glamour and sheer spectacle.

“Breathtaking and wonderous” – ★★★★★ The Au Review
“La Ronde is truly the best show we’ve seen yet.” – ★★★★★ About Adelaide
“A collection of the planet’s most exhilarating variety artists.” – ★★★★★ Hi Fi Way
“A thrilling cocktail of tease and astonishment that excites and amazes beyond imagination.” – Broadway World
“Leave(s) the audience in awe with their mastery of physicality and creativity.” – Australian Arts Review
“A captivating and dazzling theatrical experience” – Theatre Travels
“Extravagant… stunning… magnificent… fun” – ★★★★★ PLAY & GO
“‘timeless artistry”’ – ★★★★★ ENTERTAINMENT NOW
“Wow. Just wow!”– ★★★★★ KIDS IN ADELAIDE
“Not to be missed!” – ★★★★★ MY ADELAIDE TRIBE
“Outstanding.” – ★★★★★ THE ADELAIDE REVIEW TEAM
“it’s easy to forget they’re mere mortals.” – ★★★★★ FIFTY+SA

Strictly for audiences aged 18+, La Ronde contains mild nudity, strobe lighting and theatrical haze.

Season opens: La Ronde opens at Spiegel Haus Melbourne on Wednesday 21 October 2026 at 7:00pm.
Media Night: Tuesday 27 October 2026 at 7:00pm
Venue: Spiegel Haus Melbourne, 217 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD
Season: 21 October 2026 to 31 January 2027 – Wed-Sun
Tickets: spiegelhausmelb.com | From $69:00 + booking fee
Duration: 90 minutes including interval

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‘Come Alive!’ The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular Coming To Adelaide October 29

Feature-‘COME ALIVE!’ The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular

‘COME ALIVE!’ The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular is coming to Adelaide, opening at the Morphettville Racecourse on October 29. This is the third stop on the production’s Australian tour which has already delighted fans across Sydney and Perth. Following its six week run in Adelaide the spectacular will then move on to Brisbane before farewelling Australia in Melbourne in early 2027.

Performed beneath a purpose-built Hippodrome, this all-ages spectacular reimagines Benj Pasek and Justin Paul’s iconic soundtrack from the 20th Century Fox motion picture like never before—live, loud and breathtakingly close, with world-class circus artistry, dazzling visuals and electrifying performances.

Since its Australian premiere in May in Sydney, COME ALIVE! has become a must-see favourite, bringing to life beloved anthems including This Is Me, Rewrite the Stars and A Million Dreams.

Leading the all-Australian cast of actors, singers, dancers and acrobats Des Flanagan (CATS, Moulin Rouge!) as The Showman and Ruby Clark (The Lord of the Rings) as Max have won over audiences along with the local and international circus sensations responsible for bringing this internationally acclaimed production to life.

David Hutchinson, CEO of The Path Entertainment Group said: “After an ongoing sellout run in the UK, we have been thrilled to see Australian audiences so warmly and enthusiastically embrace COME ALIVE! We look forward to taking the show to Adelaide for the next stop on our national tour after being so warmly welcomed by fans new and old in both Sydney and Perth.”

At the helm of the production is Drama Desk award-winning Creative Director Simon Hammerstein (Masquerade, a bold new immersive production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera; Usher’s sold-out ‘My Way’ Las Vegas Residency; and Queen of the Night).

The creative team behind the production and its expansion consists of Music Producer and Olivier Award-nominated Matthew Brind (Paddington 2, Just For One Day, Legally Blonde – West End), Choreographers Jerry Reeve (Taylor Swift, The Queen’s Jubilee Platinum Party At The Palace) and Lukas McFarlane (Strictly Come Dancing, So You Think You Can Dance?, The X Factor), Emmy Award-nominated Lighting Designer Adam Bassett for Woodroffe Basset Design (The Rolling Stones – ‘SIXTY’ Tour 2022, London 2012 Olympics Opening Ceremony, Adele – Live), Set Designer Ruby Law (Billie Eilish, Jorja Smith, the Royal Albert Hall, Sadler’s Wells Theatre), Costume Designer Susan Kulkarni (The Peripheral, Silence, Dirty Dancing – Secret Cinema), Co-Musical supervisor Greg Arrowsmith and Technical Consultancy by Gary Beestone Associates.

‘COME ALIVE!’ The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular is inspired by the 20th Century Fox Motion Picture The Greatest Showman story by Jenny Bicks and songs by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.

‘COME ALIVE!’ The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular in Australia is produced by Showpath Entertainment Ltd by special arrangement with Outside The Box Amusements and TSG Entertainment.

Tickets are on sale now at comealiveshow.com.au

‘COME ALIVE!’ The Greatest Showman Circus Spectacular 2026/27 remaining Australian Dates:
Adelaide – From 29 October 2026, at the Morphettville Racecourse
Brisbane – From 23 Dec 2026, at Royal Queensland Golf Course
Melbourne – 25 Feb 2027, at Caulfield Racecourse

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Sydney Lyric Transforms Into Wonderland As Cirque Alice Opens This Week

Feature-Cirque Alice

Venture down the rabbit hole for the exclusive 2026 Sydney season of Cirque Alice, which opens on Friday for a two week season for the school holidays. An epic new show from the creators of Cirque Du Soleil’s Mad Apple and the international smash hits The Illusionists, Le Noir, Circus 1903 and Now You See Me Live, Cirque Alice will transform Sydney Lyric Theatre from 25 September to 11 October.

Produced by Tim Lawson and Simon Painter, Cirque Alice reimagines Lewis Carroll’s classic adventure and bring to life everyone’s favourite characters with extraordinary acts from some of the greatest performers around the globe.

Lawson and Painter have created a unique circus show that celebrates one of the most recognisable fantasy worlds of all time, with Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland a ‘curiouser and curiouser’ source of inspiration for all ages.

Creative Producer Simon Painter said he was incredibly excited to bring Cirque Alice to Sydney. “The tales of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland provide the perfect backdrop to create a magical narrative about a cirque show. Filled with some of the most eccentric and larger-than-life characters and creations, the original stories have provided such amazing inspiration for this groundbreaking new production,” Painter said.

Producer Tim Lawson added, “This is the perfect show for everyone – whether you’re on a date night or you want to bring the whole family along – do not miss this performance of jaw dropping acts set around one of the world’s most magical stories.”

Cirque Alice will entice audiences down the rabbit hole, with an awe-inspiring set and an enthralling soundtrack featuring newly arranged contemporary renditions of some of the world’s favourite classical hits. The show will feature a line-up of the greatest acrobatic performers from around the globe, mesmerising aerialists, mind-bending contortionists, exquisite puppetry and dancers, special musical guest, comedic artists and more.

Immerse yourself and get lost in Cirque Alice, a captivating two-hour show for all ages. cirquealice.com

Venue: Sydney Lyric Theatre
Season: 25 September – 11 October
Performance Times: Wed – Sat 7pm, Sun 6pm, Matinees Wed, Thurs, Sat & Sun 1pm
Prices: From $69 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings: ticketmaster.com.au or 1300 795 267

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Coliseum Theatre To Present The World Premiere Of Cirque Empire

Feature-Cirque Empire

The Coliseum Theatre today announced the world premiere season of Cirque Empire, an epic new spectacle from the creators of the global smash hits Cirque Alice, Now You See Me Live and Circus 1903 which will transform Sydney’s Coliseum Theatre into a 1920’s party from 7 January 2027.

Produced by Simon Painter and Tim Lawson, Cirque Empire boasts extraordinary acts from some of the greatest performers around the globe promising the most outrageous entertainment in a decade of decadence.

The year is 1922. A visionary young impresario recently inherited his late father’s fortune and invested every penny in creating the ultimate New York City destination for roaring twenties revelry. He has imported the most breathtaking, outrageous, and exotic talent from across the globe to perform nightly in his opulent theatrical extravaganza, assembling an eclectic cast of characters from high-flying aerialists and avant-garde acrobats to hysterical comedians and dazzling dancers.

Executive Producer, Tim Lawson, said he was thrilled to be returning to the Coliseum with a world premiere production. “We had such fun and great success with Cirque Alice at the Coliseum last year, it was our first choice to open Cirque Empire. The show will, as always, boast spectacular entertainment that will dazzle audiences of all ages – whether you’re on a date night or you want to bring the whole family along”

With the cast to be announced in the coming months, Creative Producer Simon Painter said audiences could expect a lineup of some of the most extraordinary performers on Earth who must be seen to be believed, from jaw-dropping international circus acts to side-splitting comedians, alongside an elite troupe of Australia’s most sensational dancers.

“The cast that has been selected for this show is amongst the very best acrobatic, dance and comedic talent that has ever been presented in any circus show, and we cannot wait to share these truly unbelievable acts with Sydney audiences,” said Painter.

Richard Errington, CEO of West HQ, said, “Securing Cirque Empire for the Coliseum Theatre is a significant win for Western Sydney and reflects our commitment to bringing exceptional live entertainment to the region. Cirque Empire offers audiences a spectacular and distinctive live experience. It’s another example of the calibre and diversity of entertainment being delivered right here in Western Sydney.

Errington added “This is about more than one show – it’s about building the identity of the Coliseum Theatre as a destination for live entertainment. Cirque Empire adds to that momentum and reinforces the Coliseum’s role in putting Western Sydney firmly on the cultural map.”

Prepare for a night of roaring glamour and outrageous spectacle.

The season is presented by the Coliseum Theatre in association with Tim Lawson and Simon Painter.

Join the waitlist at coliseumtheatre.com.au now

CIRQUE EMPIRE
Venue: Coliseum Theatre
Season: 7 – 16 January
Performance Times: Wed & Thurs 7pm, Fri & Sat 7.30pm, Sun 6pm, Matinees Wed & Sun 1pm, Sat 2.30pm
Prices: From $69 (Transaction fees apply)

Bookings: coliseumtheatre.com.au or ticketek.com.au
Phone: 02 9625 5500 10am to 5pm
In Person: West HQ Box Office, 33 Railway Street, Rooty Hill,

BOOKINGS
Priority Presales: From Tuesday 22 September, 10am
Tickets start at $69 plus booking fees.
General Public On Sale: Tuesday 29 September, 10am
Tickets start at $69 plus booking fees.

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