After the hot pink big top of the LadyBoys of Bangkok the outside aesthetic of Old Market Square's latest resident may seem a little underwhelming.
But the unassuming matt white pitched top and obscure green walls of Nottingham's Magnificent Spiegeltent is all but a red herring.
Step inside the 100-year-old travelling pop-up, which opened today (May 4), and you are transported to a bygone era of decadence and debauchery.
It's hard to believe Salon Perdu is a temporary structure with 13 wooden booths lining the periphery of the dancefloor, mirrors twinkling all round the circumference of the entertainment venue alongside real stained glass windows, while heavy draped fabric hangs from the ceiling.
But it actually only takes one full day to pull the structure together. Transported around in panel-like pieces, it is constructed as you would an item of flat pack furniture.
Look up and there's a few hints about to to come during the two week schedule of events, with acrobatic hoops and aerial ribbons ready and waiting.
Amongst the acts and entertainment helping to launch the upcoming programme of music, circus, comedy and cabaret was a BeatFeet drumming and dance workshop.
Based at the Vine Community Centre, in Hyson Green, the group, founded by Jude Winwood, aims to enrich musical education while encouraging positive communication as well as social and emotional skills between peers.
Speaking to Nottinghamshire Live about hosting a workshop in the Spiegeltent, Jude said: "It's just such a unique construction in the middle of a very busy city.
"It's a little haven of something different."
Elizabeth Jones, of Wollaton, attended the workshop and gave it a resounding thumbs up.
"I think the Spiegeltent is great and BeatFeet was fantastic," said the 23-year-old. "From the outside you wouldn't have a clue what it was like on the inside."
It'll be the fourth time The Magnificent Spiegeltent has taken over Slab Square for a fortnight residency having taken a break from the city last year.
Back for 2019, the pop-up venue is hosting its biggest-ever programme in Nottingham, featuring big names such as Milton Jones (Thursday, May 9) and CBeebies' Andy and the Odd Socks (Saturday, May 11) as well as Edinburgh Festival Fringe favourites and heaps of home-grown talent.
This year, public funding from Arts Council England through the National Lottery is supporting the Spiegeltent’s family programme, including free performances and walk-abouts as well as low-cost workshops for adults, children and young people alike.
Tomorrow (Sunday, May 5) families will get the chance to meet the characters from Rhubarb Theatre’s The Bookworms outside the Spiegeltent and on Sunday, May 12 join Phileas Fogg and his valet Passepartout as they attempt to circumnavigate the world… in Old Market Square.
Gem Radio will be bringing the pop-up party to the Spiegeltent on Monday, May 6 from noon-2pm.
The station's bank holiday fun includes anthems from DJ Phil Ray as well as free glitter face paint from the Gem Stars.
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