The latest move of the Augathella Spiegeltent, which has resided in Wynnum for the past six years – initially at the waterfront and then on Bay Terrace – is to New Farm, where it is now ‘open for business’ after a makeover by leading set and event designer Bruce McKinven who has worked at major festivals, including the Adelaide Writers Week, Dark MOFO in Hobart and Brisbane Powerhouse’s Night Feast.
The revamped Spiegeltent now has a gloss black façade and illuminated signage with red velvet walls and black vinyl flooring, and will include a candy bar previously based in the Dendy Cinema (the Spiegeltent is now located where the Dendy Powerhouse outdoor cinema used to be).
And the Spiegeltent has already hosted its first event in it new location – the Brisbane Writers Festival.
So what will happen with the Wynnum Fringe?
The Wynnum Fringe has grown almost exponentially since its first outing in 2020 and will continue in Wynnum. The format will change a little without the Spiegeltent and Tom and his team are already working on potential venues for Wynnum Fringe 2027.
Why the move?
Two reasons – electricity and a temporary home. The site in Bay Terrace did not have a permanent power supply and the Wynnum Fringe could only operate for six weeks a year due to the cost of that power. In contrast, the new venue has a permanent connection to mains power (see below).
The other issue was the fact that the Spiegeltent was located on a site scheduled to be redeveloped (which readers of this site will know has been in the pipeline for quite a while).
Tom Oliver thanked BMD for their support of the festival and added “If we weren’t able to sit on their site at 166 Bay Terrace for as long as we have, rent free, then we would not be able to think this big, and step into this next chapter.”
BMD CEO Scott Power added “BMD is proud to have supported Tom Oliver, Wynnum Fringe, the Augathella Spiegeltent and the many artists who have brought the festival to life in Wynnum over recent years.”
Tom also talked about the benefits of the new location…
“What makes this next chapter so exciting is that we can finally use this incredible venue for what it was built to do, host performing artists and audiences throughout the year. A performing arts venue as good as the Augathella Spiegeltent should be welcoming artists and audiences every week of the year,” he said. [editor’s note – The Powerhouse hosts 1250 performances and events a year] “The venue will have a permanent connection to mains power, dressing rooms and toilets – a major logistical win – and it will be co-programmed by Brisbane Powerhouse and Tom Oliver Productions”.
…and his continuing association with the Spiegeltent
“Companies looking to play in Brisbane can book the venue through the Powerhouse, and I will curate and produce various shows throughout the year. (And) with Brisbane 2032 just over five years away, it feels like the right next chapter for the Augie. Part of me is sad, and part of me is incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved there and where we are headed.” said Tom.
A short history of the Augathella Spiegeltent…
2009 Designed in Belgium and constructed in Brisbane for the celebration of the 150th birthday of Queensland in Augathella (749km WNW of Brisbane) 2009, where it was called the ‘Q150 Shed’ in Augathella
2013 Remained dormant and unused until Tom Oliver’s parents came across it in Augathella
2021 Makes its first appearance in Wynnum after a crowdfunding campaign to relocate it to the Wynnum Fringe
2025 It moves up from the (temporary) waterfront location to a more permanent site in Bay Terrace in Wynnum Central
2026 Moves to the Brisbane Powerhouse
And if you want to know more about Spiegeltents check this out.
Some photos from the Augathella Spiegeltent’s last outing in Wynnum…
