Brisbane-bred Strut & Fret
bring their smash-hit ‘champagne cabaret’
home to new theatre
The West End Electric
Global powerhouse production house Strut & Fret are thrilled to bring their cheeky circus-cabaret, Blanc de Blanc Encore, to Brisbane’s bespoke new theatre and bar The West End Electric.
Premiering as party season hits, the titillating, extravagantly-extra extravaganza that sold out the Sydney Opera House will preview at The West End Electric from 14 November, ahead of an official opening night on Thursday 21 November.
The minds behind The Garden of Unearthly Delights, The Spiegeltent, The Grand Electric and now The West End Electric, Strut & Fret have toured their signature circus-cabaret shows to 25 countries from Brussels to Bogota and Perth to Prague.
Creative Director Scott Maidment toured the original Blanc de Blanc to London’s West End and the Las Vegas Strip, where it received sell-out seasons and 5-star reviews.
“Since we opened The West End Electric in September, it’s been a treat to spend more time back home in Brisbane, where Sarah Stewart and I started the company over 20 years ago,” says Scott, who is also the Director of Blanc de Blanc and Blanc de Blanc Encore and has directed for Madonna.
“For those who haven’t seen it, Blanc de Blanc Encore is a new sort of circus that takes the audience into a heady, bubble-filled, overflowing, crazy party, inspired by champagne. We can’t wait for audiences from across the sunshine state to experience Blanc at our all new West End theatre.”
Blanc de Blanc Encore transports guests from a sophisticated French lounge to a pumping nightclub party with the world’s finest acrobatic talent, great tunes, big laughs, lots of skin and more than a few surprises.
Following the Brisbane season, Blanc de Blanc Encore has been invited to perform in London’s West End.
Blanc de Blanc Encore is choreographed by Kevin Maher (choreographer for Justin Bieber, Britney Spears and Madonna), with costumes by James Browne (Cabaret, Ghost and Xanadu) and a thumping soundtrack from Danish electronic artist Kenneth Bager.
The star studded, international cast includes Cirque du Soleil alumni and world-class performers who have worked alongside the likes of Dua Lipa, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Tones and I, gracing major stages on many continents.
Cast confirmed for The West End Electric season include charismatic Canadian comedian and acrobat Felix Pouliot; award-winning American aerialist and Multiloops creator Caitlin Tomson-Moylan; Perth’s prolific dancer Jackie Chambers and incredible hula hooper Jess Mews; soulful South African vocalist and dancer Sasha Lee Saunders; Ukrainian hip-hop, popping and ‘bone-breaking’ artist Misha; Berlin acrobat and comedian Remi Martin who performed for Queen Elizabeth II; and striking Canadian aerialist Spencer Craig who performs a duo aerial hoop act with partner Caitlin Tomson-Moylan.
Tickets are selling fast via The West End Electric, with bookings being taken for Christmas parties and group events. Audiences are encouraged to be quick to secure their favourite seats for the festive season.
VENUE: The West End Electric, 125 Boundary St, West End, QLD 4101
DATES: Previews from 14 November, ahead of opening night on 21 November
SHOWTIMES: Wednesdays & Thursdays 7:30pm, Fridays 6pm & 8:45pm, Saturdays 5pm & 8pm; Sundays 5:30pm
PRICES: Tickets from $64 + booking fees with special discounts and balcony
bar hire options for parties.
BOOKINGS: The West End Electric
CREDITS
CONCEIVED & DIRECTED BY SCOTT MAIDMENT
CHOREOGRAPHY BY KEVIN MAHER
LIGHTING & SET DESIGN BY PHILIP GLADWELL
MAGIC CONSULTANCY BY RICHARD PINNER
MUSICAL COMPOSITION BY STEVE TOULMIN
COSTUME DESIGN BY JAMES BROWNE
COMEDY CONSULTANT SPENCER NOVICH
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL LAURA NEW
CAST
CAITLIN MARION TOMSON-MOYLAN SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA, USA
Caitlin is an internationally-acclaimed aerial artist and creator who has performed with companies, such as Cirque du Soleil and Cavalia, and in iconic shows and venues such as Ohlala (Switzerland), The Box (London), and E11even (Miami). She is the creator and performer of the apparatus Multiloops and has performed as DUO HOOP with partner Spencer Craig since 2017. Caitlin and Spencer have received many accolades for their work together and won two silver medals (Italy & China) and a bronze medal (USA) for their act. They were finalists on both France’s Got Talent and Italia’s TSQV talent shows. CBC Canada describes the duo as having achieved “perfect mastery of their art.” Caitlin is the founder of backstageBODY, an online Pilates-based fitness studio which supports athletes all over the globe. @caitlin.tm @duo.hoop @backstagebody
FELIX POULIOT MONTRÉAL, CANADA
Felix Pouliot is a multidisciplinary circus artist based in Montréal. From street shows to the great stages of Cirque du Soleil, Felix’s comedy and acrobatic skills have been praised around the world. His Chinese pole act has been recognized for its fluidity, impressiveness, and poetry. Since Felix completed his circus training at the national circus school of Montréal and the circus school of Quebec in 2014, he has been travelling around the world performing for numerous companies such as Cirque Éloize, The 7 Fingers, Strut & Fret. @f_pouliot
JACKIE CHAMBERS PERTH, AUSTRALIA
Jackie has worked alongside artists such as Dua Lipa, Tones and I, Sophie Ellis-Bexter, James Arthur, Guy Sebastian, The Veronica’s, Peach PRC and Human Nature’s Phil Burton. She’s been involved in the contemporary world of the Dream Dance Company’s ICON and the We Are Dance Project as well as the theatrical world of Opera Australia’s La Traviata on Sydney Harbour. Jackie has been involved in the Australian film and TV industry, working on projects such as Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Elvis’ and Rebel Wilson’s newly released ‘The Deb’. She has recently been involved in Melbourne’s ‘VIVA’ circus cabaret and in the Latin Ballroom company of Burn The Floor on their 2024 Australian Tour. Jackie has previously worked with Strut & Fret on other projects and really looks forward to joining Brisbane’s cast of Blanc de Blanc Encore! @jackiechamberss
JESS MEWS PERTH, AUSTRALIA
Starting her passion for circus at the early age of five, Jess graduated the Flying Fruit Fly Circus with specialties in Hula Hoop and Balance before representing Australia at the International Circus Festival in South East Asia. Jess’ signature routines have been in hot demand for the past 10 years, touring globally with the likes of The 7 Fingers, Circus Oz, Strut & Fret and Short Round Productions.
@jess_mews
REMI MARTIN BERLIN, GER/FRA
Acrobat, comedian, and director of circus shows, Rémi Martin graduated from Berlin’s State School of Circus Arts in 2007 where he specialised in Chinese Pole. Since then he has travelled the world performing at the Wintergarten Variety Show, GOP Variety Theater, Chamäleon Theatre, La Clique, Sziget Festival, Cirque du Soleil. In 2012, Rémi performed as part of the annual Royal Variety Performance for Queen Elizabeth II. He was awarded the Silver Medal at Solycirco International Circus Festival in 2009 and the Bronze Medal at the prestigious Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain in 2010. Most recently, Rémi was credited with the creation of LIAR – Life is a rehearsal. Winner of various Awards at the Fringe World Perth and Fringe Adelaide 2020.
MISHA KYIV, UKRAINE
Hailing from the Ukraine, Misha (aka Mykhailo Makarov) is a performer with an exceptional and unusual set of skills. Specialising in hip hop, popping, and a technique known as “bone breaking” Misha pushes his body to the edge in every performance. His unusual skillset is in demand worldwide. Misha’s accolades include two-time champion of Experimental Dance in China (2017 & 2018), Paris World Champion Dancer – Experimental (2019) and Ukraine World of Dance champion (2019). He also won the Golden buzzer (2021) and was a finalist on Ukraine’s Got Talent (2022).
SASHA-LEE SAUNDERS CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
South African born, New Zealand raised and now residing in Australia for the last 10 years, Sasha-Lee’s theatrical career began after studying at the Australian institute of music. Graduating with a degree in musical theatre, Sasha set out to audition in the Australian scene. In 2014 Sasha-Lee joined the cast of Disney’s Aladdin and toured Australia, New Zealand and Singapore for the next three years. She then merged into the fashion modelling industry and made her mark as an Australian model. Coming off a tour with Marcia Hines, Sasha-Lee has been starring in Craig Illot’s Velvet Rewired and since been introduced to cabaret and circus. @sashasaunders
SPENCER CRAIG CALGARY, CANADA
Spencer started circus at 8 years old in his hometown of Calgary, Canada, beginning with hand balancing & diabolo before discovering his passion for aerials. In 2011 he moved to Montréal to train with coaches Marie- Michelle Fabe and Victor Fomine. He has gone on to perform his aerial numbers internationally with Cirque Du Soleil, GOP Varieté, Circus Oh La La, Cavalia as well as Strut & Fret’s Showtime at the Pink Flamingo and Love Riot. His duo hoop act with aerial partner Caitlin Tomson-Moylan has been awarded silver medals at both the 2019 Wuqiao Circus Festival in China & the 2021 Salieri Circus Festival in Italy. @Duo.hoop