The show will go on

Docklands’ Melba Spiegeltent is being reclaimed by its owner Circus Oz and is moving to Collingwood.  

But, in the best showbiz tradition, the show will go on and Wonderland Fun Park owners Colin Davis and Melissa Head have found a bigger and better replacement for Docklands.

The couple are importing Salon Elégence from Germany, a beautiful example of “mirror tent” from the Klessen family which has been making and restoring spiegeltents for more than a century.

The new tent is 365sqm and can cater for 450 people for a show or 250 for dinner.

The Wonderland Melba Spiegeltent has over the past couple of years put Docklands on the Melbourne entertainment map with comedy, burlesque, blues and circus-based children’s performances.

According to Melissa Head, the new tent will allow for bigger shows than ever.

“Our part of Docklands has become an entertainment hub and we’re really keen to work with the community to build on its success,” Ms Head said.

The Heads started looking for a replacement last year after Circus Oz told them they were reclaiming the Melba tent.

In October they tracked down the Klessens family and opened negotiations on Salon Elégence, culminating with a trip to Germany for Colin early last month.

Salon Elégence lived up to its fine reputation and by January 26 was aboard an Antwerp ship and on its way to Docklands.

The Heads are leasing Salon Elégence with an option to buy if everything goes according to plan.

“We hope that our iconic speigeltent will work for us and, more importantly, will also work for Docklands,” Ms Head said.