Not since you flicked from Big Brother to Rove Live in 2001 has such epic live television talent been in Canberra at one time - but that's about to change.
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Former Big Brother host Gretel Killeen and Australia's favourite comedy son Rove McManus are both headlining the Canberra season of the grand Spiegeltent, which is being erected in Civic Square (in front of Canberra Theatre) from April 26 to May 20.
Killeen, a comedian and best-selling writer, will play with her band The Gretskys in The Love Love Klub - a "hilarious, ridiculous and joyful celebration of love and agony expressed through comedy, song, poetry, philosophy and interpretive dance".
McManus will step out from in front of the television cameras to perform alone, for the first time in a long time, in a stand-up comedy routine.
The Spiegeltent program works in two parts: a special, "one night only" guest act (like The Gretskys or Rove) performs at the beginning of the night, with cabaret act Blanc de Blanc performing in a separate show afterwards.
Blanc de Blanc is vintage cabaret at its best - think feathers, acrobatics, burlesque dancing and more glitter than the Sydney Mardi Gras parade. The show was created by the visionaries behind Madonna's recent Rebel Heart tour.
Other "one night only" acts appearing in Canberra under the sparkly big top include The Black Sorrows and Livvy & Pete: The Songs of Olivia Newton-John and Peter Allen, performed by Helpmann Award winner Michael Griffiths and cabaret darling Amelia Ryan.
The Spiegeltent isn't for the faint-hearted. Only Canberrans aged 18+ are allowed to join the audience. The show contains adult concepts, full frontal nudity and references to alcohol consumption, as well as theatrical haze, strobe lighting and limited herbal cigarette smoking.
For more information on The Spiegeltent in Canberra head to www.canberratheatrecentre.com.au
