Bernie Dieter returned to Melbourne with a troupe of talented and sexy performers in Club Kabarett. Housed by the Meat Market, Bernie created a bold environment in a beautiful space. Club Kabarett was atmospheric, with audience members dressed up like it was East Berlin in the early 30’s. The band began playing while the audience found their seats, creating a rowdy and excitable environment. The performers welcomed audience members to the cabaret with some preshow shenanigans.
Bernie and her whole team were dressed in interesting and beautiful costumes. The costumes both made a political statement and peaked my curiosity. Often the performers were scantily clad, or in the case of the drag queen, completely nude except for Chanel. The costumes teased the audience as much as the performances themselves, becoming progressively more risqué.
Bernie was bold and brave when she spoke to the audience. She emphasised that Club Kabarett was a place for the sexually free and open to let our freak flag fly. Bernie utilised the unique large space to create a wonderfully intimate moments engaging directly with audience members. Bernie’s punk attitude and punk music suited the distinctly alternative nature of the cabaret. Bernie hoped to create a space where we could all “let go and get intimate,” and she was successful in that endeavour! Bernie encouraged and asked the audience to touch her, in an attempted to break down barriers.
Bernie’s talented team of alternative performers included a scantily clad pole dancer, a fabulous drag queen, a trapeze artist and many more. Bernie sang with her live band while the different artists performed spectacles. The pole dancer had the audience engrossed by her wild athleticism and flexibility. The tap dancer embodied punk, breaking down expectations of the art form, as he continued to tap with a cigarette in his mouth and an oversized fur coat over his shoulders. The contortionist was impressive to watch. Her muscle and strength control was spectacular. The entire ensemble was serving sexy circus realness.
Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett awoke things in me, and made me proud of Bernie. Bernie was unapologetic in her opinions and her radical acceptance of others. Her choice to be so open about her beliefs created a safe and inviting space for the audience to enjoy the remarkable performances she had curated. The live band provided a soundtrack to every performer and act apart of the cabaret, and made sure the atmosphere remained engaging and interesting.
To book tickets to Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett, please visit https://meatmarket.org.au/event/club-kabarett/.
