Seductive. Sultry. Sensual. These are just a few words to describe the luxurious ambiance of Piper’s Playhouse; a new, bespoke Parisian cabaret club at the heart of Crown Melbourne. Travel up the escalators and step behind the velvet curtain to be transported to a night of intrigue, awe and immersion, where jazz, burlesque and circus acts collide to create an unforgettable late night experience.
Immediately upon weaving through the red-drenched corridors you’re greeted with the lavish allure of what feels like an exclusive invite-only night club. You’ll step into a secluded booth to view a cheeky peep show, pass through a hall of cascading mirrors and get an early glimpse of Becky Bubble’s niche yet breathtaking bubble-blowing talents. Upon entering the main space, the Jake Amy Trio have already taken the stage to fill the room with the divine sound of contemporary jazz, continuing through the night and elevating every one of the memorable performances.
The ensemble of acts that make up this performance are spectacularly talented and incredibly entertaining, covering a variety of skills from the sexy to the silly and everywhere in between. The night is loosely led by the infectious energy of Jimi the Kween, a drag superstar with a level of charisma that fills the room with joy. Her pop performances provide a loose, wild and comedy-fuelled break between the other immersive acts, lifting the mood of the crowd without fail.
One of the night’s show-stoppers is Diesel Darling, aka Miss Burlesque Australia, whose glamorous burlesque acts are sure to have you in awe. Combining cheeky feather-draped choreography with the allure of a topless champagne bath, she had the entire crowd captivated with her delightfully sultry performances. Quite possibly the most surprising act of the night is Becky Bubble, who had everybody stunned with how well she’s able to manipulate something so simple and niche as bubbles to create a beautifully captivating experience. Leaning into the champagne and Paris-themed escapades, it’s one act you’ll be talking about for days and weeks to come.
It’s not a cabaret club without a little sleight of hand magic, and that’s where Sebastian Rideaux (Mr Marmalade) is able to make his contribution. His ability to manipulate playing cards drew audible gasps from among the crowd, adding his own little theatrics to up that wow factor. My only gripe with this act is that the venue layout doesn’t lend itself to sleight of hand magic. Every other act takes place in the centre of the room, while Rideaux’s magic has to take place at the front of the room in order for everyone to see the action, stripping away some of the grandeur and audience interaction. In a redemptive moment, both Rideaux and Becky Bubble combine for a final magic act that’s honestly too impressive to spoil here. It involves a gold envelope everyone receives on arrival and the ability to follow precise instructions.
It’s not all just magic and seductive burlesque routines; there’s also a healthy dose of death defying physics and mind-bending contortions to inject a sense of thrill into the room. Circus performer Naz Turner twirls his moustache and spends the majority of his time upside down, balancing on a variety of objects that don’t necessarily scream “I’m stable”. Meanwhile, contortionist Soliana Ersi puts the limits of the human body to the test with a performance that blurs the lines between sensual and stomach-churning.
Each of the acts brings something unique to the night, contributing everything from razor-sharp comedy to temperature-raising burlesque routines. From start to finish it really does feel like an exclusive, upper-class club, bringing the glamour of the Parisian nightlife to Melbourne for an indulgent, unmissable experience. One of the best parts of Piper’s Playhouse is that after the final act, the club turns into a suave late-night piano bar fuelled by Piper-Heidsieck champagne. So there’s no need to find a post-show spot to kick on; simply keep your seat and enjoy smooth acoustic tunes within the same illustrious atmosphere.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Piper’s Playhouse is now located within Crown Melbourne through to March 28th, 2026. For more information and to purchase tickets, head HERE.
Reviewer attended on Thursday January 22nd, 2026
