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Spiegeltent – ghosts of show business past


Spiegeltent on Hobart's waterfront has a long history

 Had a great time listening to Judith Lucy in the Spiegeltent last night. It was certainly a nice break from election coverage and stories of mass shootings in New Zealand. The venue was a real blast too. 


Did I mention that the show was really good too? Not as rabid as the title might suggest

This Spiegeltent is one of two which was used by the Klessens family to travel around Belgium until about 1919.   Its big brother/sister was struck by an incendiary bomb and this one – “De Sonnenstrahl” was stolen.  After being rediscovered, post WWII, it lived on as a cabaret venue in Berlin, but as film and television took away audiences, it was put into storage.  In 2014 it was brought to Australia by James McPherson and co – producer, choreographer Jason Coleman and has been spreading happiness and joy ever since.

Wish I could show you some pictures, but photography is banned inside. Of timber, glass and canvas with parquetry floors, red velvet drapes and mirrors, it still has all the glitz and glamour of days gone by. It has a bar and private boxes too. Seating only about 130 in a semi -circle around the stage makes it a very intimate experience and the show was a buzz too. It’s great to see Hobart getting so many top acts. 



In fact, comedy is quite big here. The Joker’s Comedy Club in Newtown, has a show every Wednesday. Panchovilla Mexican restaurant in North Hobart has comedy out the back once a month, but their  website seems to be down at the moment and other places such as the Republic Bar, The Theatre Royal and the Playhouse Theatre also have comedy from time to time.


Can’t wait that long? If you need a little comedy fix right now, try a little Brexit Yoga with Sammy J



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