30 years after their first solo show Parlour Volatile unleashed the volcanic force of Moira Finucane and had critics, academics and audiences scrambling for synonyms of ‘inexplicable’, the legendary theatre company Finucane & Smith celebrate turning 30 by reopening Luna Park’s iconic Luna Palace with a festival of fearless fun, Dance Palace, playing every weekend across August.
The company that’s burned the genre envelope and redefined cabaret for new generations; made 36 full-length shows, presented in 19 countries, toured and love-bombed 160 Australian towns, with 1,000,000+ audience members, and won 21 awards, with not a penny of ongoing funding, are cracking out the hot chips and sauce
A carnival of hot divas that only Finucane & Smith can dream up: pub rock queens and Bollywood love gods, torch singers and clothes flingers, First Nations genius, eye-bursting burlesque, toe tapping and swinging from the rafters, gothic legends (alright let’s just say Moira), artists painting live, pants flying (also live!), plus WTAF, and art with an ahhhh.
Queen of Provocative Variety Moira Finucane, Icon Maude Davey, Transcendent diva Mama Alto, Butoh Goddess Yumi Umiumare, Indian Love God Govind Pillai & Temple of Desire, Yorta Yorta Taungurung legend Glennys Briggs, Showgirl-Showghoul Bendy Ben, Burlesque bombshell Maple Rose; Soprano Piera Dennerstein & more; 30 hot divas over 12 hot August nights.
Plus booze and hot chips at the bar.
Invited by Melbourne’s other surviving entertainment icon, Luna Park in its 113th year, Finucane & Smith are reopening the iconic Luna Palace after 5 years refurbishment to reveal wall to wall arched windows, stunning views and rafters ready for raising. And raise them Finucane & Smith will!
In tough times, with prices soaring, global heartbreak, and climate crisis, Finucane & Smith are the ultimate hack: infinitely renewable glamour, sustainable sensuality, ultra-low prices (including free seats for those who can’t afford to buy a ticket!) and a month long carnival crash-curve cabaret, wild art, heart-stopping song and beyond burlesque. A carnival of love at a time when it’s desperately needed.
A carnival of stars cascade across 12 sensational shows.
Absolute F*#king Legend of Hope, Big Hair & Huge Art Moira Finucane● Transcendent Beyond-Diva Mama Alto ● Rock Goddess Maude Davey ● Butoh Galaxy Yumi Umiumare ● Chameleonic Showgirl Showghoul Bendy Ben● Indian Love God Govind Pillai and Temple of Desire ● Yorta Yorta Taungurung Legend Glennys Briggs & Country Star Ian Muir ● Ceiling-smashing Soprano Piera Dennerstein ● Bellydance Fusion Enchantress Raksha Parsnani ● Outback Art-attack Kate Foster ● Guitar virtuoso Dave Johnson ● Pop Star Zitao Deng ● BelovedMonkey! (and her friend Kathryn Niesche) ● Usher/Shining Star Will Skarpona ● Siren Songbird Mandeera ● Burlesque bombshell Maple Rose and more!
August 6 – 29
