Circus

Le Freak

Sideshow. Reimagined. A queer and disability focused retelling of circus exploitation.

$34.50
Sessions & Tickets View Comments
Two performers in red bikinis and thigh high boots stand on stage, holding a whip and a sword above their heads triumphantly.
Five performers stand on stage in rainbow costumes, they are holding their hands above their head in a bow and look ecstatically happy and gay.
Performer Themme Fatale stands in a red bikini with their heart shaped drag makeup, there are explosions on the screen behind them and a sword by their side.

Image Credit: Georgia Moloney

Two performers in red bikinis and thigh high boots stand on stage, holding a whip and a sword above their heads triumphantly.
Five performers stand on stage in rainbow costumes, they are holding their hands above their head in a bow and look ecstatically happy and gay.
Performer Themme Fatale stands in a red bikini with their heart shaped drag makeup, there are explosions on the screen behind them and a sword by their side.

  • Created and Performed by: Elle Diablo and Themme Fatale

  • Starring: Elle Diablo, Themme Fatale, Bella de Jac and Sarah Birdgirl

  • Produced by: Olly Lawrence

WINNER - Best Innovation in Circus - Melbourne Fringe 2023
WINNER - WA Tour Ready Award - Melbourne Fringe 2023
WINNER - Best Circus Weekly Award - Adelaide Fringe 2024
NOMINEE - Best Circus - Melbourne Fringe 2023

Returning to Melbourne after a SMASH-HIT season! Equal parts irreverent and inspiring, sexy and strange, we guarantee you haven’t seen sideshow like this before.

Le Freak features a cast of world-class queer, trans, disabled and sex worker performers, it's is sideshow reclaimed - and then reimagined through the lens of a lost 1970s exploitation film.

Uniquely combining high stakes sideshow and circus stunts with high concept surreal storytelling, watch if you dare as these critically acclaimed artists sharpen their swords and their stilettos in a jam-packed hour of danger, humour, drag, strip, and the fear that only a text from Centrelink can inspire.

This show is for you if you love drag, burlesque, and absurdist circus. If you've ever been paid in “exposure”, been tokenised at work, or believed in the power of friendship; if you want to watch hot people do scary things with their bodies; if you want a joy-filled empowering hour away from your problems, or if you can’t go a day without blaming them all on capitalism.

Starring Themme Fatale, Elle Diablo, Bella de Jac, Sarah Birdgirl and Bubbles the Ferret.

Don't miss our only Melbourne shows for 2024!

About Le Freak

Founded by Elle Diablo and Themme Fatale in 2022, Le Freak highlights the voices of LGBTQIA+, disabled, and SWer creatives, with a focus on making art accessible. They have been producing their touring show, Le Freak!, with Heartfelt Havoc productions since 2023.

lefreaktheshow.com

  • Duration: 55 minutes

  • Event Accessibility: Blind or Low Vision Rating: Partially Accessible, Deaf or Hard of Hearing Rating: Partially Accessible

  • Age suitability: R18+

  • Event warnings: Contains Sustained Bright Lights, Haze Effects, Full Frontal Nudity, Moderate Coarse Language, Both Sudden And Sustained Loud Noises, Some Infrequent/Low Pressure Audience Interaction.

  • Content warnings: Alcohol Use, Misogyny, Queerphobia Or Homophobia, Sexual References, Disability Slurs, Murder, Simulated Blood, Use Of Replica Weapons, COVID-19/Coronavirus.

Masks recommended for all shows. HEPA filters at all shows. 

Mask mandatory show Friday 11th Oct. 

Please see Relaxed Guide for Fri 11 Oct session - HERE

AUDIO DESCRIPTION: This event is providing pre-recorded headset delivery, cued along with the show, and created in consultation with our blind cast member.

TACTILE TOUR

  • When : 30 mins before the show
  • Where : Outside the ETU Ballroom
  • Facilitated by : Sarah Houbolt and Emma Bedford

If you require a tactile tour, please nominate in your access requests at booking.

 

 

  • Festival Hub: Trades Hall - ETU Ballroom
    Cnr Lygon & Victoria Sts, Carlton, VIC, 3053

    Wheelchair Access

    Festival Hub: Trades Hall - ETU Ballroom is wheelchair accessible. The entrance to the venue is on Lygon St. You can head up the front stairs and through the main doors, from there head right to get to the Loading Dock.If you need step-free access, head to the driveway located on the left-hand side of the main entrance on Lygon Street. The driveway will lead you into the courtyard. From the courtyard, there will be a lift on your right. Head to the first floor and turn right. The ETU Ballroom will be on your right. Volunteers will be available along the route to assist you if needed. Please don't hesitate to ask for help

    Get directions See all events at this venue See detailed venue & access information

  • Full: $34.50

  • Concession: $30.00

  • Group 4+: $25.00

  • Extra Applause: $40.00

  • Blak Tix: $10.00

Sessions: In Person Events

A single $5.50 transaction fee applies to your booking.

Date Time Venue

Thursday, 10 October 2024

8:00pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - ETU Ballroom

Sold Out
 Past Event

Friday, 11 October 2024

8:00pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - ETU Ballroom

Sold Out
 Past Event

Saturday, 12 October 2024

8:00pm

Festival Hub: Trades Hall - ETU Ballroom

Sold Out
 Past Event

You may also like…

  • T4T: A Transgender Showcase

    A variety spectacular of trans performers – performing for a trans ONLY audience.

    Presented by Heartfelt Havoc Productions
    Dates 13 Oct (60min)
    Venue Festival Hub: Trades Hall - ETU Ballroom
    more less
    Comedian and trans woman Anna Piper Scott stands on stage with outstretched arms, she is wearing a flowing black dress and black lipstick. The background is purple LEDs with
    Genre: Cabaret
    Artist Pick
    More Information
  • Assigned Magician At Birth

    A witty, fast-paced satire of magic shows from a queer femme perspective.

    Created and Performed by Tricksy Collins
    Dates 09 - 20 Oct (55min)
    Venue Festival Hub: Trades Hall - Archive Room
    more less
    Performer, Tricksy, wearing a bright green blazer and pants, black crop top and holding a spread a playing cards in her right hand in front of a bright pink backdrop. She's looking off to the right with a bit of a stank face.
    Genre: Comedy
    Artist Pick
    More Information
  • Finucane & Smith's Global Smash Club

    Finucane & Smith’s wild club takeover. Global smash. F*cked up hits. Living legends. Futurespective.

    Created by Finucane & Smith
    Dates 16 - 19 Oct (75min)
    Venue Festival Hub: Trades Hall - ETU Ballroom
    more less
    An image of a woman holding a mirror ball in her arms, as she stands against a silver-pink background. She is wearing a shimmering silver corset, has long, silver taloned fingernails, long dark hair, curled eyelashes, sparkling pink eye shadow and a closed mouth wearing dark pink lipstick. Silvers stars on slender silver sticks appear to be forming a crown above her ahead.
    Genre: Cabaret
    Artist Pick
    More Information
  • GODZ

    A hedonistic dive head-first into the lives of the ancient Gods of Mount Olympus.

    Performed by Head First Acrobats
    Dates 09 Oct - 21 Dec (75min)
    Venue Circus Oz
    more less
    Four colourful greek gods pose on white plinths in a silver sky. The shining sun is coming through behind them. They are all doing acrobatic poses.
    Genre: Circus
    More Information
  • In Place

    A contemporary circus work that delves into connections with humanity, culture and place.

    Presented by Na Djinang Circus with Circa Cairns
    Dates 16 - 20 Oct (65min)
    Venue Footscray Community Arts - Amphitheatre
    more less
    A black and white photo of an acrobat with their back to the camera. The skin on the top of their back and right arm are covered in white ochre, they are holding a branch of eucalyptus leaves by their side which are green and pink in colour.
    Genre: Circus
    More Information
  • A Theatre of Mistakes

    Two rights make a wrong? Mistakes make marvellous memories.

    Directed by Linda Sastradipradja
    Dates 10 - 12 Oct (60min)
    Venue Gasworks Arts Park - Gasworks Theatre
    more less
    Three females dressed in black, orange, and blue are positioned in an unconventional pyramid in front of a bottle green backdrop. From bottom to top: the first female acts as the base of the pyramid. On her right, the second female leans backwards, counterbalanced by the third female with her left arm extended above her as she stares directly into the camera.
    Genre: Circus
    More Information
  • AAA+ for Effort

    The Circus Nexus Troupe are back with another thrilling showcase of their talents and lack of fear.

    Performed by Circus Nexus Performance Troupe
    Dates 11 - 20 Oct (60min)
    Venue Studio Nexus
    more less
    The image showcases a group of young acrobats performing a human pyramid. They are dressed in vibrant blue and red uniforms with star motifs, giving the scene an energetic and patriotic feel. The formation is well-structured, with performers carefully balanced on each other's shoulders and backs. The background is dark, which makes the brightly lit performers stand out even more.
    Genre: Circus
    More Information
  • Apricity

    A spectacle that transcends the boundaries of circus.

    Presented by So Soiree Fringe Garden
    Dates 17 - 20 Oct (60min)
    Venue The Ukiyo
    more less
    Five artists are on stage, they are standing on small lamps. They are posed in a variety of acrboatic poses, with one person floating on top of all the other performers, his hand resting on another performer's head.
    Genre: Circus
    More Information
  • YUCK Circus - NAUGHTIES

    Fringe-favourites YUCK are back with a totally hot, totally bitchin' BRAND-NEW SHOW.

    Presented by So Soiree Fringe Garden
    Dates 17 - 20 Oct (50min)
    Venue The Ukiyo
    more less
    Four members of the all-female cast of YUCK Circus pose within a cut-out diamanté heart, with a hot-pink background and sparkles. They're wearing early 2000's inspired party outfits, a variation of pink dresses and tracksuits. They're posing with early 2000's themed items, like flip phones, butterfly clips and a furby.
    Genre: Circus
    More Information
  • Affinity

    Circus theatre exploring empathy, by inviting you to step into someone else's shoes.

    Created and Performed by Artists of CircArts Geelong
    Dates 04 - 05 Oct (60min)
    Venue Studio Nexus
    more less
    Three performers are in an acrobatic pose, one person is on another person's shoulders, and holding someone else out, making the shape of a capital A. They have white outfits on and are standing against a dark background.
    Genre: Circus
    More Information
  • By A Thread

    Seven acrobats and 30 metres of rope...

    Presented by One Fell Swoop Circus
    Dates 11 - 12 Oct (50min)
    Venue Gasworks Arts Park - Gasworks Theatre
    more less
    Seven performers on stage with a long white rope hanging down in two lengths. One performer is in the middle of the air performing an acrobatic trick while two performers are underneath her with their arms outstretched ready to catch her. Purple and blue lighting fills the stage.
    Genre: Circus
    More Information
  • Skinship

    An acrobatic celebration of the spectrum of relationships and intimacy through joy and movement

    Presented by Ensoul Entertainment
    Dates 07 - 11 Oct (60min)
    Venue Theatre Works - Explosives Factory
    more less
    A image that show the profile of two people doing handstands on either side of a person sitting down. They are wearing blue, black and white and the image has a bright red background.
    Genre: Circus
    More Information

    • Find similar shows

    See All Guides
  • Queer AF
  • Circus Events
  • Disability stories
  • SALTY
  • SPICY
  • Previous Award Winners
  • Outside the comfort zone