As the audience take their seats in the Speigeltent, the atmosphere is already electric. Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett is described as the hottest cabaret, East of Berlin! The three piece “haus band” are already on-stage, filling the tent with upbeat tunes. Meanwhile, dazzling performers sashay through the assembled throng, handing out flags emblazoned with “Slut”, “Weirdo” and other slogans. It has that East Berlin underground vibe before the show even begins. Mini performances on stage involving various acts such as balloons up the nose.
Once everyone is settled, the lights and music dims, before Bernie Dieter dramatically launches down the catwalk in a blaze of colour and movement. Taking charge, she gets to know the audience first, with the house lights up and much interaction. What follows is a series of world-class acts that blur hte line between fashion and performance. There’s a tap dancer in a fur coat and high heels. A sword swallower who follows up with fire breathing. A naked man. A contortionist that climbs from a box and twists her body in ways that defy belief. An acrobat in impossibly large heels, who seemed to be able to twist every which way, while barely holding on.
It’s breathtaking and exciting and an interval helps get the thoughts and energy back together.
There’s more dancing, undressing and sword swallowing, yet Dieter has an underlying heartfelt message to us all. In this world of chaos and war, the real message is that of hope. As an audience, Dieter guides us to reach out to our neighbours and make a connection. Messages such as “My Body, My Choice” coveys the underlying spirit of hope and resilience that is so needed today.
The message of hope and connection is wrapped up in a delicious cocktail of decadence and depravity. It’s fabulous, beautiful and captivating. Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett sums up what Adelaide Fringe represents on the world stage, the ability to be brave and defiant and show that there is a better way.
FIVE STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett plays at the Aurora Spiegeltent in The Garden of Unearthly Delights as part of the Adelaide Fringe
Season runs until 22nd March
Tickets from the Fringe Website
Run time 100 minutes including interval – note R18+ (4 Warnings)
The reviewer attended the performance on 24th Feb
Photos by John Goodridge
