By Leslie Pariseau

	Nate Cooper, a loose-limbed, willowy jester who prefers frilly frocks to traditional garb, is one of the performers in Spiegelworld’s Absinthe, the hot new show in Miami Beach’s Collins Park Photo: Joan Marcus

Something is afoot in Collins Park.  A tent resembling the iconic circus big top has set up shop along the shores of Miami Beach. But the striped canopy shows no signs of producing elephants balancing for peanuts, tigers jumping through hoops or gaggles of foolish clowns— at least not the conventional gaggle anyway.  Inside, a mysterious world of mirrors and velvet exists far from the buzz of Miami nightlife, but proves to be no less racy.  Spiegelworld has come to town, and it isn’t bringing a carnival sideshow with it.

Coming hot off a three-month, record-breaking run in New York, Spiegelworld is ready for a Miami debut.  The show was previously located at the South Street Seaport, a fittingly obscure theatre venue just adjacent to the Brooklyn Bridge.  For its Miami premier, the exotic theatre troupe presents Absinthe, an acro-burlesque show, seeking to create an experience, rather than a mere performance.  The outlandish experience ensues within the luxurious ‘Spiegeltent’ (German for ‘tent of mirrors’), a spectacular den of shining teak, antique brocade and, of course, mirrors.  This near 100-year-old venue will house an array of exotic acts, sexy beyond-flexible performers and bawdy stage humor.

	Duo Scarlette—Marieve Hemond and Annie-Kim Dery—a distinctive pair of aerialists who set trapeze artistry on its ear . Photo: Joan Marcus

“The name Absinthe conjures up images of hallucinations, like what you’re seeing isn’t quite real,” says producer Ross Mollison. “It’s exciting to be in a 350 person audience with a stage the size of a dining room table.”

The intimacy of the Spiegeltent amplifies the surreal experience—not only is the show interactive, but every detail is caught whirring about in the reflections of the gilded mirrors, doubling each lascivious sensation.

Absinthe offers no unifying plot, but allures the eye and the imagination with a sultry cabaret of strange and sensuous feats, woven together with appearances from the Green Fairy and raunchy interjections from the Gazillionare, an uncouth sort of clown and company.   The show is only one element of the Spiegelworld gamut.

“We want the show to be for everyone,” states Mollison. Well, maybe everyone, but the kids. For early birds, Spiegelworld is serving up a loudmouth plate of nasally attitude with early evening and matinee acts of The Jewish Princesses of Comedy.

Before the Spiegeltent’s dose of Absinthe, the Raleigh Hotel will lavish guests with a three-course meal in the Oasis Restaurant, positioned just outside the venue.  Those wishing to purchase a dinner and show package will lounge in an atmosphere evocative of sleek St. Tropez, and dine from a menu created by the Raleigh Hotel’s top chefs. PR representative Charlie Cinnamon affirms, “This really is more than just a show. It’s an event.  It’s ideal—dinner and a show, and then come back later in the week for a late-night comedy act. What could be better?”

	Adil Rida, from Morocco, is trained in martial arts and aerial acrobatics Photo: Joan Marcus

If Absinthe toes the line, The Gazillionaire’s Late Night lounge leaps over it.

“I take the modern clown to the next level,” says Voki Kalfayan, a former Cirque de Soleil actor.  “I’m hesitant about using the term ‘clown’,” he admits, “it just has so many predictable associations.”  The Gazillionaire may be many things, but predictable is most certainly not one of them. “Boundaries will be crossed!” he proclaims.  As the tawdry producer of a late night show, the Gazillionaire spins dirty, in-your-face jokes with the help of a pseudo-innocent sidekick Penny and a live full band, cackling along to their own grimy jabs and banter. Each late night performance will feature a line-up of local Miami performers, and the dancing Gazillionettes. If you’re out past midnight, don’t miss this sleaze ball and cohorts.

After a rigorous worldwide hunt for the best bizarre and seductive talent, Spiegelworld is presenting the most opulent and indulgent show on Miami Beach.

“The City has been so supportive and welcoming to Spiegelworld,” says Mollison, “and we felt it was the perfect setting for the show. It’s glamorous, it’s beautiful—very akin to Spiegelworld.”

	Olaf Treibel, an acrobatic wonder and former member of Cirque du Soleil Photo: Joan Marcus

From the glittering ambience and risqué performers to the tropical dinner and seedy sideshow, Spiegelworld is, above all, a theatrical spectacle.

“A lot of people say things about Miami,” muses the producer, “that Miami isn’t a theater city, but the people here are chomping at the bit for high-quality performances. I think they’ll love what we’ve brought.”

Some night soon, wander down to this alluring tent, sit back and let the mischief of the Green Fairy take effect.