The amazing Spiegeltent is returning to Wollongong this June and the program finally revealed with the very best of circus, comedy, and cabaret.
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It could, however, be the last time the city welcomes the travelling antique tent with all its wares as federal government funding runs out this year, though a decision on a 2024 season was still to be made.
![Comedians Dave Hughes and Akmal are on this year's line-up for the Spiegeltent, along with Roxee Horror, Otto and the family-friendly London Calling. Pictures supplied. Comedians Dave Hughes and Akmal are on this year's line-up for the Spiegeltent, along with Roxee Horror, Otto and the family-friendly London Calling. Pictures supplied.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/UPAcJLQNVGftX3BUDy544C/09a5fcc7-d5ac-4231-b3ce-be8d1351bc30.png/r0_0_1600_900_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"We will continue to assess the program's success based on levels of patronage and the community desire for the tent to have a home in Wollongong," said Leland Kean, acting artistic director for Merrigong (responsible for bringing the Spiegeltent to town).
"[This year] also marks a shift in the dates for the tent and we are excited to see how audiences are engaged in the cooler months as we look toward the possibilities for 2024."
![Karen From Finances unique approach to character drag and narrative-driven story telling sets a precedent in this absurdist new show about self-determination, realisation, and affirmation. Karen From Finances unique approach to character drag and narrative-driven story telling sets a precedent in this absurdist new show about self-determination, realisation, and affirmation.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/UPAcJLQNVGftX3BUDy544C/93574159-8620-495c-8af9-76477ef67bca.jpg/r67_0_1134_600_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
In the meantime, the upcoming winter wonderland edition will feature three headline shows from heavy hitters of the entertainment world: an all-star cast of cabaret royalty in London Calling; Dummies Corp's killer circus comedy The Dumtectives in Cirque Noir and the family-friendly show Trash Test Dummies which takes the humble wheelie bin to new heights.
Rounding out the headliners is Le Coup, who will transform the glittering Aurora Spiegeltent into a neo-vaudeville speakeasy, with Chelsea McGuffin and Co. gathering Australia's finest cabaret and circus stars to mix fire breathing, daring aerial feats and breathtaking acrobatics for an amazing visceral experience.
It's billed as a tribute to funfairs, travelling troupes and the showmen and women of yesteryear, Le Coup will feature a ferocious live soundtrack by the bluegrass band Father Grant and The Blunt Objects.
Heading up the comedy component is Dave Hughes and Akmal, along with the delightfully silly Garry Starr, the fierce and fabulous Karen From Finance, the charming Gabbi Bolt, dynamic duo Charles Firth (The Chaser) and James Schloeffel (The Shovel) and a spectacular line up of the Multicultural Comedy Gala.
![The antic-fuelled, part-game show, part-vaudevillian caper The Strangeways Cabaret is again on the Speigeltent lineup. The antic-fuelled, part-game show, part-vaudevillian caper The Strangeways Cabaret is again on the Speigeltent lineup.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/UPAcJLQNVGftX3BUDy544C/7f69646b-a8a7-41ad-bfaf-db6b8089e482.jpg/r0_109_792_554_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The Spiegeltent will also showcase outstanding local talent, including drag queen extraordinaire Roxee Horror and the antic-fuelled, part-game show, part-vaudevillian caper The Strangeways Cabaret.
Spiegeltent Wollongong 2023 runs from June 7 to 25, in the Wollongong Arts Precinct. Tickets: Available from www.spiegeltentwollongong.com.
![Let the '80s come alive with Cell Block '69. Let the '80s come alive with Cell Block '69.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/UPAcJLQNVGftX3BUDy544C/48d8dbb4-3410-4279-a99d-f6ce887cabf0.jpg/r0_213_3543_2260_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
2023 FULL LINEUP:
- London's Calling
- The Dumtectives
- Trash Test Dummies
- Le Coup
- Garry Starr
- Gabbi Bolt
- Otto & Astrid
- Karen From Finance
- Akmal
- Shammgods
- Cell Block 69
- Geraldine Quinn
- Roxee Horror
- Multicultural Comedy Gala
- Wankernomics
- Dave Hughes
- The Strangeways Cabaret
- Woody - The Ukulele Kid Show
- Caboriginal
- Prinnie Stevens
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