When the spiegeltent rolls into Wollongong, the "reverend" Jay Wymarra will be ready to take confession as the host of First Nations cabaret show Caboriginal.
"I play this kind of salacious inversion of a religious figure," Wymarra said.
"I know that Christianity plays a strong role in Indigenous people's lives, but also there's the darker side of religion, which has been rearing its head in headlines lately, and I like to poke fun at that and get a little bit dirty."
Fresh from doing stand-up shows at comedy festivals, Wymarra loves the freedom of performing cabaret and the way it lends itself to subversive material.
"It is rebellion - but we look fabulous," he told AAP.
"Frock up, rock up, drag your friends along - hell, bring your enemies, we'll take their money.
"We absolutely want to bring the best of First Nations cabaret talent, the best of First Nations queer talent - and you are going to walk away not only feeling lighter, but you're also going to walk away just a little bit shinier because glitter gets everywhere."
Originating in the late 19th century as a travelling entertainment venue, the Aurora Spiegeltent - which means "mirror tent" in Dutch - is an extravagant big top decorated with mirrors, stained glass, velvet and brocade.
On June 18, the ornate venue will host Caboriginal, which features Wymarra as the host as well as Indigenous talent in dance, comedy, drag, spoken word and music.
Performers include drag queen extraordinaire Nova Gina, burlesque Kamilaroi showgirl Vudu Doll and singer-songwriter Scott Hunter.
It's not only the theatre that Wymarra loves about cabaret, it's the history it has of poking fun at difficult subjects and the fact it has long been a welcoming space for the queer community.
"What attracted me to cabaret the most is that it's conceptually very, very layered and also quite beautiful," he said.
"Cabaret is one of these legendary forms of performance where you can really test the system as it currently stands, speak truth to the power structures that we operate under.
"And what better than to put on a cabaret show focused entirely on a group of people, an entire demographic, who have been oppressed by the system for many, many years, so I think cabaret is the perfect vehicle for that and, frankly, I love it."
The spiegeltent will take over the Wollongong Arts Precinct for three weeks of live performances from June 7.
This year’s program features three headlining shows, showcasing circus, comedy, and cabaret.
