Finucane & Smith’s Dance Palace Review: A theatrical celebration at Melbourne’s Luna Park
Opening night of Finucane & Smith’s Dance Palace delivered an exhilarating celebration of colour, creativity and theatrical spectacle. It felt perfectly at home amid the lights and energy of Melbourne’s iconic Luna Park.
Celebrating 30 years of Finucane & Smith, the production unfolds like a wonderfully unpredictable variety show, with a rapid succession of short performances encompassing cabaret, burlesque, opera, belly dancing, live music and performance art.
With so many artists appearing throughout the night, it can be difficult to single out individual performers. Together, they create one enormous, swirling carnival of talent and theatrical chaos.
Finucane & Smith’s Dance Palace is interactive and unpredictable
Highly interactive and constantly surprising, the show had us laughing, singing and clapping along throughout the night. There was nudity, underwear thrown into the audience, red balloons bursting and confetti flying.
At one point, members of the front row were covered in protective white sheets, building anticipation for what appeared to be an impending tomato soup spillage scenario. It was absurd, playful and completely unpredictable, leaving the audience wondering what could possibly happen next.
Later, in a gloriously decadent and over-the-top spectacle, another performer drenched himself in champagne, sending it cascading across the stage.
Among all the glorious madness were moments of genuine beauty. The magnificent operatic singing provided a breathtaking pause amid the chaos, while a story of hope inspired by krill brought another unexpected and thought-provoking dimension to the evening.
Beneath the spectacle, a lovely message about embracing who we are and loving the lives we have was woven throughout. Moira Finucane’s deep passion for theatre, her performers and the transformative power of art could be felt across the entire night.
Finucane & Smith’s Dance Palace is an outrageous celebration of individuality, creativity and life itself. Most importantly, it is an absolute blast!
Performance details
Finucane & Smith’s Dance Palace
Playing now and continuing until 12 September 2026
Thursday to Saturday at 7 pm
Luna Palace, Luna Park, St Kilda
Please see link for more information https://www.finucaneandsmith.com/
Review and words by Craig Lawson
