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Bernie Dieters Club Kabarett

7 June 20246 June 2024 Faith Jessel

Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett Rating

★★★★★

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Bernie Dieter is back with a bootylicious BANG and its settings on stun!

Dare to enter if you can handle the heat. A sultry fusion of circus, song and sexy burlesque, where the thrill of the centre ring meets the seduction of the velvet curtain. Temptation breaks all the boring boundaries and sinks itself into your lap. Ach, mein Gott! What a ride! You must see it darling- it’s BEAUTIFUL!

Like a glittering diamond in the rough under the dome of the Moore Park Spiegeltent, ‘Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett’ is a lesson in surrendering to the decadence of hedonism and celebrating the human form in all its glory. Settled within the intimate shadows and velvety atmosphere, we are offered a tasty blend of gritty underground danger and pure, unadulterated flair without ever tipping the scales into crassness or whimsy. This requires astounding skill, my friend.

What’s the X-factor that makes this experience so uniquely delicious? It captures and embraces the unbridled spirit and liberated essence of Weimar-era cabaret. This show is a thoroughbred, real deal cabaret that knows exactly how to deliver and doesn’t hold back. Vibrantly avant-garde and at times ironically grotesque, it provocatively pushes buttons, relishing in its own signature sauce of salaciousness. A big juicy f**k you to conformity and the mundane.

Talent upon talent upon talent. The spotlight ignites seven heavenly bodies – titillating tornadoes of effortless circus expertise. Our hair is literally blown back, our eyes ache from the dazzle, our spirits soar with the thrill of it all. This is a full on fatal attraction of strength, skill, and seduction in the form of a mesmerising array of aerial feats, fiery displays, hoop artistry, whip cracking and contortionism. Eight outstanding acts deliver the perfect balance of clowning and spell binding agility, each one jaw-droppingly unforgettable in its own way and expertly woven together by the quick-witted banter of the incomparable Mistress of Ceremonies, the marvellous Miss Dieter, a ringmaster-class of song and repartee.

How can I possibly describe this powerhouse of a woman? She’s a vocal force, delivering numbers with bodacious energy and precision that’s both captivating and rare. Backed by a very tight and pulsing 3 piece band, Dieter fearlessly embraces contrasts, pivoting from unbridled ferocity in ‘Rebel Yell’ to tender vulnerability in a haunting rendition of ‘Fake Plastic Trees’. A presence that’s both commanding and nuanced, she weaves a sonic tapestry that’s utterly immersive; she defies expectations and forges a connection that’s both raw and profound. Dieter IS cabaret.

The ultimate wild child of the Club circuit family, ‘Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabaret’ shatters the mold, of leaving similar variety shows for dust. The finale is a glorious personal homage to the alchemy of art and drinking, where transformation and reinvention converge in a dazzlingly gutsy and original song.

As you gather your wits to depart, the stage lies in perfect disarray, a telltale testament to the night’s divine debauchery. Littered with party popper innards, discarded costumes, confetti, shreds of balloon rubber, feathers and a spray of white powder which I suspect may represent an illicit substance 😉 This is the aftermath of a night of extravagant fun.

Bernie, you devil, you’ve done it again! You’ve released a kaleidoscope of creativity and set the bar ridiculously high with a night that revisits and then rewrites the rules of cabaret. The impossible is now possible and your imagination knows no bounds.

This is the ultimate winter retreat from the chill of a turbulent world. Indulge in the warmth of Dieter’s organised chaos to help you forget and play for a while, to remind you of the unapologetic, permissible pleasures of being human. All are welcome. So leave your inhibitions at the door, grab your favourite poison and sit back as the candles and stage are lit for a night you won’t forget.

Danke Darling Dieter!

‘Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabaret’ plays at Sydney Spiegeltent Moore Park Entertainment Quarter until July 28th. See https://www.entertainmentquarter.com.au/event/bernie-dieters-club-kabarett/ for details.
What are you doing??? Click the link and hustle those tickets!

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

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The Marvelous Wonderettes – Soundtracks and Schadenfreude

2 June 2024 Mars Turner

The Marvelous Wonderettes Rating

★★★★★

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The Marvelous Wonderettes by the Maitland Musical Society captures all the kitsch and fabulous fluffiness of 50s frocks, with costuming, props, and dialogue dragged directly from the past.

The show draws the audience in as we watch the “award-winning” (hey, third place is still a win) prom singers devolve before our eyes. Their high school angst-filled youth is captured beautifully in each individual character—and individual they were—each being unique and well set apart from the others.

The actresses really did the girls’ characters justice, never breaking character despite the numerous bouts of audience participation in the show. Due to their commitment, you will undoubtedly be able to recognise characters from your own high school days, regardless of whether that’s a good thing or not…

The music features toe-tapping tunes with popular hits from ‘way back when’ and some lesser-known ones for those who want to experience some new songs from the era. The cast had a good blend of voices with each other and the music, though they were occasionally overpowered by the live band, who sat onstage with the cast and also got into the show, dancing along with their own tunes. Their presence really adds to the live prom feel.

There were a couple of minor tech issues, including mics turning off and lights being slightly off cue, but for their opening performance, some teething issues are to be expected, which will no doubt be streamlined as the season progresses.

There are some strobe lighting effects used multiple times throughout the show, so be prepared lest you be caught off guard. Kudos to the wardrobe team, who created colourful costumes perfect for the era and the characters; the wigs themselves were almost scene-stealers!

Finally, the venue and staff were just amazing, offering homemade snacks as sweet as the Marvelous Wonderettes would like you to think they are. Overall, it was a marvellous experience, and I applaud the Maitland Musical Society for putting on such an amazing, entertaining show.

The show runs for only one more week with sessions as follows:-

Sun 2nd June 2pm
Fri 7th June 7pm
Sat 8th June 7pm
Sun 9th June 2pm

Please don’t miss out, and when you get there, don’t forget to take a selfie at ‘The Prom’!

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

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Limbo The Return – A Transcendental Glimpse into Another World

1 June 2024 Linda Lokhee

Limbo The Return Rating

★★★★★

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The cast of Limbo The Return, was extraordinary! Playing to a packed sell-out house at The Grand Electric, their opening Sydney performance transported the audience to a place of colour, music, and sensory loading. The award-winning creatives from Strut and Fret and director Scott Maidment will no doubt equal if not surpass the success of their previous show Blanc de Blanc last year and their encore in March, with this high energy vaudeville show.

There is no one particular category of entertainment that Limbo The Return can fit into. It has different elements of expertise in the acts. Limbo takes the music of the cool underground party club scene with a New Orleans feel, tosses it with a bit of French cabaret, modern dance, comedy, adding an aerial acrobatics circus spectacle to create a distinctly unique show.

The live music which continuously played throughout the show delved into the essence of each individual stage act, playing even when the crew were setting up the next performance. From the first introduction, I could tell that this was not going to be an ordinary soundtrack. We were introduced to the cast walking on stage, silently like models on a runway, to an encompassing and eclectic mix of music and sound. It was certainly a catwalk for the curious.

Composer and sound artist Sxip Shirey developed what he calls “jank” – sexy, crunchy, underground music – when he was travelling around the world.

The soundtrack not only featured traditional instruments such as synthesizers, keyboards, drums and guitar, but mostly unusual instruments such as the Polymba, designed and built by musical artist Mick Stuart, and the sousaphone – a big marching tuba, played by multi-instrumentalist Grant Arthur. Shirey, a sonic pioneer, is onstage with the band, creating sound stories using his voice with effects, a bullhorn, several harmonicas, whistles, marbles and even a glass bowl!

The cast of six took turns individually and at times together to perform gravity defying and jaw dropping acts. Each artist was a master of their trade. Choreographer Hilton Denis’ acts were comical and interactive, and at one time he even conducted the audience, involving them to be part of the music. His dancing was precise and interpretive.

David Marco Pintado held the audience spellbound with many of his acts, most notably his skill and acrobatic balance on the slackrope, even using a chair as his prop. Clara Fable’s vocals were beautiful during one of her acts, and at another time, she brought the stage literally alight with her synergetic relationship with fire. Her fire breathing and fire swallowing, amongst other things she did was incredible! Mikael Bres held us in awe with his prowess on the Chinese pole. He was so smooth with his movement gliding up the pole, he made himself appear weightless, especially when he stuck himself out at angles from the pole.

It was clear from her aerial circus skills that Maria Moncheva came from a background of ballet and contemporary dance. Her chain hanging act was a visual spectacle. Ben Loader completed this outstanding cast, most notably with his precise acrobatic skills on aerial rope. He captivated the audience with his strength and skill, seemingly playful with the rope, bending it to his will and defying gravity.

Whilst the artists were working their magic, the lighting (and set designer) by Philip Gladwell was mesmerising. He created a world in which these beautiful creatures were captured on stage, highlighting and shadowing as needed. One standout moment was the use of handheld mirrors and light, combined with the music to create an otherworldly perception.

The sexy and sometimes flamboyant, sometimes less-is-more costume design worn by the cast and musicians by Lucy Scott created the strong theme throughout this production.

Limbo is the place believed to be between heaven and hell, the setting for this show. The creators have told their story perfectly, amongst these unearthly, talented artists, floating white feathers and fire.

Limbo The Return is 100 minutes including interval. It is running from 30 May – 18 August 2024 at The Grand Electric, Sydney. Tickets from $60

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

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The Last Word

21 May 2024 @thebenmurphy_

The Last Word Rating

★★★★★

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With an eye-catching poster featuring an image of the star throwing a bunch of SCRABBLE tiles off the board into the air, one could be forgiven, walking into the Butterfly Club, on a cold Melbourne night, that the show, like the poster, may just be a bunch of ideas and various tiles haphazardly thrown together in the hopes a decent score is found. All doubt was removed at the second “The Last Word” star and creator slinked onto the stage.

It’s not often a performer that you are not familiar with, takes a stage, and with literally just a raise of their eyebrow has you giggling and instantly at ease, this is however the feat that Imogen Whittaker managed in her sold-out Monday night performance.

With nothing but a microphone and a piano, along with a whole bunch of therapy behind her (though, as Imogen tells us, she was dumped by her therapist- ouch!), she launches into song and starts the show. Within just a few bars, you know you are in the hands of an up-and-coming pro, instantly the clever, humorous wording has you thinking you are in the hands of a star like Tim Minchin. The music and lyrics already feel like they belong in a smash hit like Matilda (we won’t talk about Ground Hog Day), and the audience takes an audible sigh of relief knowing that the hard slog to get out on a wet Monday will well and truly be worth it.

Through the next 50 minutes or so, Imogen Whittaker draws you in with her charm, honesty, and a little self-deprecation. Managing to tell stories that are uniquely her own, though with wording and feelings that like today’s Astrology Star Sign forecast, the audience could easily interpret to be current and applicable to themselves.

A particular favorite was – Last First Date
“I think I’m going to get RSI
From how many times
I swipe left and right
And put on my nice shoes and dress
Just to be in evidently unimpressed”

A hilarious ode to the pitfalls of dating and kind of a Groundhog Day (not the Minchin one- no, this one wasn’t tedious) of first date after first date after first date and how they all start to feel the same, the guys all sadly similarly bland and not right and how Imogen wishes that she could find the one and have her “Last First date”. Knowing laughter from the audience and friends nudging each other in agreeance throughout.

Other stories of the wacky world of dating are put into song- like the one about the guy she dated for some time, to then find out the reason he was emotionally unavailable was that he was married and bumped into him and his wife at a country bakery where he introduced her as “a family friend”. Awkward. But hey, this ‘ACE’ of a guy brought her a piano- so I guess he is ok?

Another about a failed ‘showmance’ in what we are repeatedly and cheekily told was “the worst production of FAME ever staged” that leaves Imogen wondering if she was in love with the actor or the character. Then there is “Drunk Call”, awaiting an ex who has moved on, but she “Leaves my phone on even though I know you are out, in case I’m the one you‘re still thinking about”.

With brilliant lyrics and music that have you reminded of Missy Higgins, Musicals like Once and Matilda, and an instantly likable personality that draws you in, this was a joyous night at the theatre held by a performer who knows her talent and leans into it with grace and confidence. Despite some sound issues, from the microphone not sounding on for the first number to then barely being able to hear the wonderful piano playing for a few numbers, this is a highly recommended show.

“The Last Word” like the show’s promo poster, is a collection of letters and words of Imogen Whittaker’s experiences. She played a brilliant game and clearly won with the tiles of life that have been dealt her way.

I can’t help but feel that she still holds her ‘Q’ and ‘Z’ close to her chest. But I tell you, when she does decide to put them on the table, not only will she win again, she will score big and it will be one of the most exciting games. This is not Imogen’s last word, and I eagerly await her next.

This review also appears on It’s On The House. Check out more reviews at Whats The Show to see what else is on in your town.

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