Spiegeltent
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Spiegeltent (Dutch for "Mirror Tent") is a large travelling tent, constructed in wood and canvas and decorated with mirrors and stained glass, intended as an entertainment venue. Originally built in Belgium during the late 19th and early 20th Centuries, only a handful of these Spiegeltents remain in existence today, and these survivors continue to travel around Europe and beyond, often as a feature attraction at various international arts festivals, including the Edinburgh Fringe, the Melbourne International Arts Festival, the Adelaide Festival of Arts, the biennial Brisbane Festival, the Brighton Festival Fringe, the Belfast Festival at Queen's and Just for Laughs in Montreal, Canada. Two tents used by Teatro Zinzanni have been in (more or less) fixed locations in Seattle and San Francisco for several years.
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[edit] Origins and history
The original Spiegeltents were constructed in the Flemish Region of Belgium in the late 19th century as mobile dance halls. They were transported around the country and assembled for town fairs in areas that did not have a proper dance hall.
Only fourteen of the original Spiegeltents still exist today:
- Palais Romantique - an Art Deco Spiegeltent which is 17 metres in diameter and holds 300 people.
- Palaise Nostalgique - currently used for a standing show in San Francisco, California. Holds 295 people.
- Moulin Rouge - currently used for a standing show in Seattle, Washington. Holds 295 people.
- Parel van Vuren - a handmade pavilion, holding up to 350 people and 18 metres in diameter.
- La Gayola - an Art Deco Spiegeltent which holds 350 people.
- La Gaieté - an original Klessens tent, at 16 metres in diameter,
- Ideal - an Art Nouveau Spiegeltent, handmade, which holds 320 people.
- The Famous Spiegeltent
- Bon Vivant - Nostalgic dance hall in Art Nouveau style.
- Kempisch Danspaleis - Original mirrored dance tent from 1935.
- Cristal Palace - Handmade in 1947. 18 metres in diameter for up to 400 people.
- Carrousel - Interior in oak. Capacity : up to 300 people for dinner.
- De Lust - A rectangular mirror tent for up to 500 people.
- Victoria - One of the most luxurious mirror tents. 25 meters in diameter for up to 700 people.
[edit] The Famous Spiegeltent
[edit] History
The Famous Spiegeltent, perhaps the most lavishly decorated of all, was built in 1920 in Belgium by master craftsmen Oscar Mols Dom and Loius Goor. Over the decades it has hosted some of the world's greatest performing artists, including German singer Marlene Dietrich, who famously performed "Falling in Love Again" in it during the 1930s.
[edit] Construction
The Famous Spiegeltent is transported from venue to venue in shipping containers, and is constructed on site at each location. It consists of about 3,000 pieces of wood, mirrors, canvas and stained glass, and is then detailed in velvet and brocade.
Construction takes about ten to twelve hours, and is supervised by two Belgian specialists. In addition, an adjacent bar is constructed, which in addition to the lighting and sound equipment takes another few days.
When constructed, the Famous Spiegeltent can hold an audience of about 300–350 people.
[edit] Current use
The Famous Spiegeltent is owned and managed by Australian pianist and theatrical producer David Bates, who first utilised the tent as a venue at the 1996 Edinburgh Fringe Festival. After a successful visit to Melbourne in 2001, Bates bought the tent from its owners, and set it up as a unique travelling venue.
Although its history and decor make it ideal for cabaret-style acts, the venue hosts a wide variety of genres including rock music, classical music, comedy and circus acts.
The Famous Spiegeltent currently appears at the following festivals:
- Scotland: Edinburgh Fringe (July / August)
- Australia: Adelaide Festival of Arts (March, in even numbered years)
- Australia: Brisbane Festival (July, in even numbered years)
- Australia: Melbourne International Arts Festival (October till December)
- Australia: Sydney Festival (January)
- England: Brighton Festival Fringe (May)
- New Zealand: Auckland Festival (March)
- Ireland: Dublin Fringe Festival (September)
[edit] References
- Ronn, Florenz: What's a Spiegeltent?, 774 ABC Melbourne, 7 October 2006.
- Edwards, Paul: Sensuality unleashed, The Age, 8 October 2005.
- Zabel, Russ: Teatro Zinzanni Returns to Queen Anne, Queen Anne News 28 November 2007
