Loca Vida brings adults-only cabaret to Newcastle’s Spiegeltent

newy.com.au – Loca Vida is bringing aerial acrobatics and adults-only cabaret to Newcastle’s Civic Park, with the Strut & Fret production running at the Spiegeltent until Sunday, 4 October.

The show opened on 4 September at the temporary venue in Civic Park. Its season also forms part of the New Annual festival program, which runs from 25 September to 4 October.

During newy.com.au’s visit on Wednesday, the acrobatics were as much a draw as the adult humour, with performers suspended high above the stage and physical feats woven through the entertainment. Bare bottoms and suggestive dancing provide some of the cheek in a production that mixes circus, dance and cabaret.

Conceived and directed by Scott Maidment, Loca Vida features an international cast with backgrounds in circus, burlesque, dance and musical theatre. Performers include Australian musical theatre artist Melanie Hawkins and Cuban acrobatic duo Eben-Ezer, whose work combines balancing, strength and dance.

For returning audiences, a familiar venue does not mean the same show. The Spiegeltent hosts changing productions, with recent Newcastle seasons including The Party in 2023, LIMBO – The Return in 2024 and La Ronde in 2025. Each brings its own acts, music, costumes and staging.

The setting remains part of the experience, with mirrored panels and velvet drapes surrounding an audience seated close to the action. Spiegeltent means “mirror tent” in Dutch, and the portable venues originated in Belgium in the late 19th century, serving as dance halls, bars and entertainment spaces.

Loca Vida runs for about one hour and 40 minutes, including an interval, and is strictly for audiences aged 18 and over because of mild nudity and adult themes. The outdoor Spiegeltent bar opens an hour before performances, and organisers recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before the show.

The advertised schedule has performances at 7pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 6pm and 8.15pm on Fridays, 5pm and 7.45pm on Saturdays, and 5.30pm on Sundays.

Tickets are available through Fever, with prices varying by performance and seating category. Options include Classic, Premium and Ringside VIP seats, as well as booths for groups of up to eight. Discounted Wednesday sessions and selected student tickets are also listed. Patrons should check their chosen performance for current prices, availability and session times.