Spiegel Season at Arts Centre Melbourne
Have you experienced Spiegel? Well, Spiegel Season is upon us again running until April 21. If you're in Melbourne and love the arts and all things entertainment then Spiegel Season is sure to please. It's such a unique experience on the local and even global arts scene.
The Famous Spiegeltent (Flemish for Mirror Tent) was built in Belgium in 1920 by master craftsmen Oscar Mols Dom and Loius Goor and has hosted some of the world’s greatest performing artists including German singer Marlene Dietrich, who famously performed “Falling in Love Again” in it during the 1930s.
Its magic mirrors have reflected thousands of images of artists, audiences and exotic gatherings and a myriad of stunning performances that have launched the careers of countless artists travelling the globe.
Transported from venue to venue in shipping containers around the world, The Famous Spiegeltentis constructed on site at each location. It consists of about 3,000 pieces of wood, mirrors, canvas and stained glass and is then detailed in velvet and brocade. Construction takes about ten to twelve hours and is supervised by two Belgian specialists. When constructed, The Famous Spiegeltent can hold an audience of about 300–350 people.
The Famous Spiegeltentis owned and managed by Australian pianist and theatrical producer David Bates, who first utilised the tent as a venue at the 1996 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. After a successful visit to Melbourne in 2001, Bates bought the tent from previous owners Scottish & Newcastle and set it up as a unique travelling venue. Although its history and decor make it ideal for cabaret-style acts, the venue hosts a wide variety of genres including rock music, classical music, comedy and circus acts.
Check out the sensational 2013 program and the website today.