105 Glorious Years of The Famous Spiegeltent and LA CLIQUE’s 21st Birthday Bash

When you set foot inside The Famous Spiegeltent, you’re standing on 105 years of history. Built in 1920 by Belgian master craftsmen Oscar Mols Dom and Louis Goor, this antique mirror tent is the oldest of its kind still in circulation. Let that sink in for a moment. While many modern performance spaces boast high-tech production values or futuristic architecture, The Famous Spiegeltent captures the imagination with old-world flair: timber, canvas, velvet drapes and kaleidoscopic leaded glass. It’s theatrical time travel—a portal to the past where craftsmanship is tangible in every bevelled mirror and carved booth.

For a venue to remain vibrant for more than a century, there’s got to be some secret sauce. Part of that, I suspect, lies in the sheer intimacy that The Famous Spiegeltent provides. People often talk about live theatre as a communal experience, but in this space, you feel that sense of togetherness on a whole new level. The booths hug the circular stage, the mirrors reflect each gasp and grin, and the parquetry dance floor quite literally throbs beneath your feet if you choose to ‘trip the light fantastic’ (the staff usually encourage it!).

The other part of the magic stems from the calibre of its performances. Ever since Marlene Dietrich famously belted out Falling In Love Again here in the 1930s, the tent has hosted an endless roster of cabaret stars, virtuoso musicians and boundary-pushing circus acts. And let’s not forget the multi-award-winning LA CLIQUE—the house show that, for the last 21 years, has redefined what 21st-century variety can be.

A Theatrical Reinvention Of Variety

There’s a reason LA CLIQUE, launched in 2004 by David Bates, continues to be hailed as “variety reinvented.” Think of it this way: if traditional variety shows of yore gave you a hodgepodge of singers, jugglers, dancers and magicians, LA CLIQUE upped the ante by cranking the creativity dial to max. It’s the show that took cabaret, new burlesque, circus and modern vaudeville, then shook them up in a cocktail shaker until they emerged as something audaciously fresh and gloriously unclassifiable. From aerialists suspended inches above your nose to burlesque performers who can make an entire crowd simultaneously blush and cheer, the acts that grace LA CLIQUE’s circular stage are always the crème de la crème.

With an Olivier Award to its name—for Best Entertainment in London’s West End, no less—and a track record of sold-out seasons in 21 cities across 11 countries, LA CLIQUE is a global phenomenon. It has drawn over a million people through the tent’s doors, each leaving with a grin (and possibly their jaw still on the parquetry floor). But this year, the stakes feel even higher. LA CLIQUE turns 21, and what better place to celebrate a milestone than right where it all began: Edinburgh. After nearly a decade away, the show is returning to its original home inside The Famous Spiegeltent in St Andrew Square, setting the stage for a six-week extravaganza that might just be the hottest ticket of the summer.

Surprising Origins And A Pioneer’s Passion

No story about The Famous Spiegeltent and LA CLIQUE is complete without mentioning their visionary producer, David Bates. Before becoming the so-called “Spiegelmaestro,” Bates was a pianist in an Australian jazz band called Madame & Her Orkestra. The band played at what is now the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, inside a certain Belgian mirror tent. It was love at first sight. Where others might have just admired the venue’s old-world charm, Bates saw infinite possibilities.

Over the next few years, he made The Famous Spiegeltent the beating heart of multiple festivals around the globe, from Adelaide to London, all while championing the careers of independent artists. In fact, it was Bates who conceived the idea of a central circular stage beneath the tent’s velvet canopy, a format that would become the hallmark of LA CLIQUE. If you’ve ever caught yourself marvelling at how spiegeltents have popped up seemingly everywhere at festivals these days, Bates is partly to thank (or blame, depending on your viewpoint!)—he pioneered the concept of “spiegel gardens” and proved there was a flourishing market for these atmospheric arenas.

The Grand Return

For 20 years since 1996, The Famous Spiegeltent was a fixture at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Perched in various prime locations—from the top of Waverly Shopping Centre to George Square Gardens—it introduced countless festivalgoers to the wonders of late-night cabaret, raucous comedy and immersive theatrical experiences. You could stumble in at two in the afternoon for a jazz set, then return at midnight to find a wild after-hours crowd enthralled by fire-eaters or tap dancers. It was that kind of place: dynamic and unpredictable, in the best way possible.

Then, nearly a decade ago, the tent took its leave, travelling to other corners of the earth to delight new audiences. But 2025 is a special year—its 105th birthday coincides with LA CLIQUE’s 21st. So, returning to Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square feels more like a homecoming than a tour stop. Audiences in the know have already begun buzzing, saying it’ll be the event of the summer. And if past Fringe records are anything to go by, tickets will be snapped up at lightning speed.

The Numbers (And Buzz) Behind The Enchantment

Data reveals that over one million people have experienced LA CLIQUE since its inception. Factor in that the tent has travelled to dozens of cities around the globe, championing new talents and launching multi-award-winning shows, and you begin to grasp the scope of its impact. The ripple effect is evident in the proliferation of spiegeltent-style pop-ups at arts festivals worldwide. According to figures from festival circuits in Australia and Europe, attendance at spiegeltent events has seen a steady uptick, particularly over the last decade as the format gained mainstream recognition.

But numbers alone don’t explain the power of the tent. Those who’ve attended a performance describe feeling cocooned by the ornate interior, as if stepping out of time. They talk about the surprising acoustics (yes, that old-world frame can handle everything from whisper-quiet acoustics to DJ sets) and the sense of unbridled possibility once the lights dim.

Frock Up And Find Your Inner Spiegel

So what can you expect at LA CLIQUE’s 21st Birthday bash? First off, do yourself a favour and heed the call to “frock up.” There’s something about dressing to the nines that elevates the entire experience—no one ever regrets putting on their finest garb when they’re sitting inches away from daredevil trapeze artists or burlesque icons. The audience becomes part of the spectacle, and trust me, the performers notice. This year’s line-up promises a collision of old and new. If you’ve followed LA CLIQUE’s journey, you might recognise some legendary faces, but you’ll also meet a new generation of performers poised to become household names in the cabaret-circus realm.

What sets this 21st-anniversary edition apart is the intergenerational cast spanning the show’s history. The producers have cherry-picked acts that best represent the evolution of LA CLIQUE—from the pioneering performers who helped shape the show’s identity to the fresh, boundary-pushing artists carrying its spirit forward. Expect to be thrilled, occasionally shocked and frequently dazzled. The best part? Each act is as unique as a fingerprint. One moment, you’ll watch gravity-defying aerial silk stunts; the next, you’ll be in fits of laughter over a cheeky comedic interlude.

A Legacy That Won’t Be Matched

Beyond the spectacle of LA CLIQUE, there’s a broader historical weight to this season. The Famous Spiegeltent isn’t just a venue; it’s a living, breathing piece of performance history. Picture the thousands of stories that have unfolded under its canvas canopy and between its mirrored panels. Cabaret greats have cut their teeth here. Magicians, contortionists, jazz legends—even the occasional Hollywood luminary—have left their mark. And the city of Edinburgh, once again, gets to cradle that history in the heart of its summer festivities.

This is also a milestone for David Bates, whose unwavering passion has kept this antique treasure trotting around the globe, enthralling new crowds year after year. He’s quick to remind everyone that The Famous Spiegeltent is more than just an attraction—it’s an incubator, a champion of grassroots talent and a testament to the enduring appeal of live entertainment.

Don’t Let This One Pass You By

Whether you’re a Fringe faithful, a casual theatre-goer, or just someone looking to be part of an extraordinary night out, The Famous Spiegeltent’s grand return and LA CLIQUE’s 21st birthday is a can’t-miss event. In an era where digital devices vie relentlessly for our attention, the raw, unfiltered excitement of live performance in such an evocative venue reminds us why theatre is, and always will be, a sacred communal experience. The magic that’s endured for 105 years is about to converge with a boundary-pushing show that’s hit its 21st stride—and trust me, the result will be pure dynamite.

So, slip on your dancing shoes, gather your pals and head to St Andrew Square this summer. Join the millions who’ve already been spellbound, and let this living legend show you what real entertainment looks, feels and sounds like. Just be sure to hang on tight—once The Famous Spiegeltent wraps her velvet curtains around you and LA CLIQUE storms the stage, you might never want to leave.