30 years after their first solo show Parlour Volatile unleashed the volcanic force of Moira Finucane and had critics, audiences and academics scrambling for synonyms of ‘inexplicable’, Melbourne’s international legends of Provocative Variety celebrate turning 30 by reopening Luna Park’s iconic Luna Palace with a festival of fearless fun, Dance Palace, playing 20 August – 12 September 2026.
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, burlesque sirens & torch song divas, dazzling Butoh, sequinned bellydance and First Nations genius, jaw-dropping dance, razor sharp art, full of big heart; all decked out in satin drapes and velvet tables, bubbles flowing, hot chips sizzling, park lights twinkling, and PLENTY OF SAUCE! It is the carnival you’ll never want to leave!
Queen of Provocative Variety Moira Finucane, Icon Maude Davey, Transcendent diva Mama Alto, Butoh Goddess Yumi Umiumare, Glittering Indian boylesque Govind Pillai & Temple of Desire, Burlesque bombshell Maple Rose, Yorta Yorta Taungurung legend Glennys Briggs and country star Ian Muir, Chameleon Showgirl Bendy
Ben; Sublime soprano Piera Dennerstein, Bollywood enchantress Raksha Parsnani & more!
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!
Director and Queen Provocateur Moira Finucane says:
“Turning 30 feels like the miracle of the little company that could; a miracle of cabaret over catastrophe, burlesque over bureaucracy, exquisite voices over divisive drivel.
I am so proud of our tiny but mighty company. We’ve travelled global cities to tiny country towns, lifting lesser heard voices. We are the defiant, big haired, hope-loving art company that ALWAYS lifts extraordinary artists and communities shut out of centre stage.
30 stunning artists will join us celebrating 30 years. Global legends, rising stars, every night will be special. And the list keeps growing. We are here, with all our extraordinary artistes, and the people’s icon Luna Park, to celebrate surviving, thriving; making art with an ahhhh!”
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 of crash-curve cabaret, wild art, heart-stopping song and beyond burlesque. A carnival of love at a time when it’s desperately needed.
“We love our Melbourne art family. It made us who we are. We know times are tough. And hope is hard to come by. But we guarantee our stunning saucy Dance Palace will ignite joy in your heart, fire in your loins, and a skip in your step,” said Moira.
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 ● Beloved Monkey! (and her friend Kathryn Niesche) ● Usher/Shining Star Will Skarpona ● Siren Songbird Mandeera ● Burlesque bombshell Maple Rose and more!
August 20 – September 12
https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1582908
Website: www.finucaneandsmith.com
