Wollongong Spiegeltent presents Velvet

It will be the main event of the inaugural Spiegeltent season, Merrigong Theatre Company’s new glamorous venue to be setup across the grassed area of Wollongong’s Arts Precinct in April.

The show has already had sell-out success over the past two years at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Sydney Opera House, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide with its fusion of ‘70s and ‘80s disco, dance, acrobatics, circus and cabaret.

Hines’ character guides a young man, confused of who he is or wants to do, on his life’s journey after he walks into the club.

Spiegeltents (meaning “mirror tents” in dutch) are large temporary venues made from wood, canvas, stained glass and mirrors and have been utilised in arts festivals Australia wide for decades.

The 1920s art deco mirrored marquee coming to Wollongong will have an ornate wooden bar, intimate booths and has a capacity of 200 people.

Previously, artist director Simon Hinton told the Illawarra Mercury including the tent in the Merrigong season was something he’s been working on for a couple of years.

“Its about activating the arts precinct, and taking more of an approach to how we activate the public space and bringing new experiences,” he said.

The theatre company is still finalizing the complete season for the tent, though so far has a number of acts books such as comedian Tom Gleeson, jazz songstress Emma Pask and a showcase of genital origami with Puppetry of the Penis.

Velvet, Spiegeltent Wollongong, April 3 – 30, for tickets and more information visit: www.merrigong.com.au

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