Border Danceworks have been invited to join in some can can and tap during the May 7 show Ben Noir: A French Cabaret.

Ben Noir (Palumbo) has a background in theatre and circus arts and was a performer at the Sydney Olympics opening ceremony.

He caught an early break as an acrobat in Baz Luhmann’s Moulin Rouge.

After that he moved to Europe, spending much time in Paris and worked his way from street performance, via a plethora of obstacles, to some of the most (in)famous cabaret and burlesque stages in the world. 

Palumbo outlined how he first became interested in French cabaret during a 2016 interview with Sydney arts publication The Brag.

“I’ve always been inspired by the music of Édith Piaf since I was quite young, but back in 2002 my grandfather asked me to sing a French song for him at an important family event,” he said.

“It was such a poignant moment that the memory has always stuck with me.

“As a natural progression, I lived in French-speaking Switzerland for two years, became fluent in French and once I could understand the lyrics of the songs they took on a new meaning and I became even more passionate.”

Ben Noir: A French Cabaret is a divine show developed from experiences while living in Europe. 

Through a bizarre set of events, he finds himself performing in the legendary underground club Caveaux.

Between his stunning flute-like vocals, his ability to sing a classic such as Non Je Ne Regrette Rien while maintaining a perfect handstand and engaging in a two-person-two-accordion waltz, this is a cabaret like no other.

Palumbo has performed at the Paris Burlesque festival and in 2016 at the Montreal Burlesque Festival.