I love it when theatre breaks the rules. A show that starts at 9.30pm? Yes please. Seats on the stage? Even better. Two bars on the stage? Gasp! It's like this show was designed just for me.

Burlesque queen Moira Finucane doesn't like rules either. Or "average". Or subtle, for that matter.

With hert life and business partner Jackie Smith, she's bringing new show Dance Hall: The City Speakeasy to Canberra early next year. To the stage of The Playhouse, to be exact; with guests entering through a "hidden" door in an alley off Civic Square and being ushered into a plush, purpose-built speakeasy.

Think swinging lanterns, lush satins, table seating, velvet drapes, and the quiet tinkle of a martini glass being stirred.

That is, of course, until Finucane and her troupe - which includes Las Vegas-crowned World Queen of Burlesque Imogen Kelly, "goddess of dark" Butoh Yumi Umiumare, "angel come to earth" Mama Alto and the human gramophone Willow Sizer - burst into the club.

Add Bollywood and go-go king Paul Cordeiro and "seriously dirty acrobat" Rockie Stone and you have probably the best little burlesque gang in the world.

"Each artist is an international star in their own right," Finucane says of her hand-picked crew.

"And each brings an exquisite originality to the show."

Production house Finucane & Smith - now known as Finucane & Smith Unlimited - launched itself onto the Australian theatre scene in 2004 with The Burlesque Hour.

Since then, it has built a global reputation for creating intelligent and immersive performances; from drama, variety and indoor carnivals to genre-defying burlesque and cabaret.

"We peck the eyes out of old-style entertainment genres to create visions of humanity, freedom, power and desire," Finucane says.

Dance Hall is the third show Finucane and Smith have brought to Canberra. The company performed Glory Box at The Street in 2013, and Finucane herself stunned audiences way down at Tuggeranong Arts Centre last year in a stunning tribute to the wildest showgirl of the 1800s, Lola Montez.

"I'm inspired by people – by the fabulous performers we bring together and by the audiences that see us," she says.

"And by people’s essential ability to gravitate toward - and warmly respond to - the exquisite and the unique.

"People crave difference; they crave diversity and they crave a great night out. All this we happily and enthusiastically provide."

Every performance she develops starts with the audience experience, Finucane says, and Dance Hall is no exception.

"The audience is treated as our great partners in adventure," she says.

"Worldwide, that leads to a sensational night. Wherever we go, we cherish audiences, provoke their imagination, tickle their fancy, treat them as intelligent and curious partners, and pique their curiosity."

Finucane knows some Canberrans (read: public servants) can be shy, so she's programmed the Dance Hall performances at specific times.

The 7.30pm version is "disco-pumping, torch-song-singing, booty-shaking, ballroom burlesque" while the 9.30pm version features a more risqué version of the same acts.

So should one come to Dance Hall with a group of friends? And importantly - what should one drink pre- and post-show?

"Absolutely – it is crowd-pleaser show so bring a crowd," Finucane says.

"There’s table seating, drinks at the bar, an atmosphere to die for, and plenty of conversation starters.

"Some pre-drink bubbles are always appropriate. And at the end of the show, a stiff martini might go down well."

Dance Hall: The City Speakeasy is part of Canberra Theatre Centre's new Hot Summer Nights series which also includes The Miss Behave Gameshow.