The Empire strikes back
Following a sell-out season on Broadway earlier this year, the Spiegelworld juggernaut brings its latest spectacular, Empire, to Australian audiences in early 2013, with stops in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane booked.
Aussie-born, New York-based producer Ross Molllison is the man at the helm. As Mollison explained to the Star Observer, he and his team constantly scour the globe for fresh talent to add to shows like Empire, which has an eclectic mix of circus, cabaret, variety and burlesque.
“It’s a continuing process for us. I’ve just been in Mexico and Germany over the last week, meeting artists and scoping out new acts. From there, every show takes several years to put together as you piece together all the acts you’ve met and find a place for them,” he said.
“We go everywhere, from Europe to Ethiopia. In the next 12 months, we’re really interested in focusing on Australia to tap into that great Australian comedic sensibility.”
Which works out well, seeing as Empire will play in our shores for at least the first half of 2013 (the Brisbane season opens on May 24, but it’s open-ended – so watch this space for further possible dates). Mollison agreed that the relaxed Aussie sensibility was a trait shared by performers and audiences alike.
“The Spiegeltent is all about that relaxed attitude. You saunter up to the bar, order a cocktail, watch from the bar while you have a chat to your girlfriend or boyfriend. The idea of being locked in a theatre seat for three and a half hours watching a play, for many people in 2012, is not interesting. Whereas 90 to 100 minutes of really hard-hitting, fantastic, sexy circus entertainment is just what the doctor ordered,” he said.
‘Hard-hitting’ is one way of putting it. The roster of acts include artists with names like Lime Green Lady, Carrot Man, Gorilla Girls and Big Mac Boy, so expect some moments that may shock. As one New York critic put it, Empire is “the most disgusting yet hilarious act in showbiz history”. That’s a compliment – we think.
“The worst thing you want is for someone to come out of your show saying [meekly], ‘Yeah, that was really good.’ I’d much rather hear ‘That was disgusting!’ or ‘That was exhilarating!’ What a great response. That’s what we try and create,” Mollison said.
Aside from the shock and awe, we wondered if Mollison thought any of the acts would hold particular appeal for queer audience members.
“I find it very hard to predict. I produced Puppetry of the Penis, and I assumed a gay audience might be into that, when in fact my gay friends were the least interested in it! They were all ‘No darling, I don’t think that’s for me,’” he chuckled.
“But male or female, our performers are all very sexy. And by sexy I mean talented: they’re gorgeous AND they do shit. It’s no Vegas titty show – we’ve got people doing things on stage you wouldn’t believe a human being would be capable of.”
