But suggests that maybe you should leave your maiden aunt (or uncle) behind
If Lisa Minnelli wearing a bowler hat and heavy eye liner is your idea of Cabaret, then be prepared to think again, with a stunning show entitled Bernie Dieter’s Little Death Club, running at the Underbelly on the South Bank, London until the 23rd of June.
Transforming a Circus Tent into a sensuous art nouveau performance space is no mean feat, but only the first of many such feats that skilfully creates the kind of show that is more often associated with the Weimar Cabaret of the 1930s in the heart of Berlin.
In the true spirit of cabaret there are several acts: musical, comedic, artistic and downright mind blowing.
MCeed by the talented Bernie Dieter, whose fantastic voice is matched only by her wicked sense of humour, completely sets the scene. Not only that, but she has written all the original songs which she delivers with a fabulously dry wit.
The evening is an exotic mix of eye-liner, feathers and furs, veils and sequins and yes, a degree of partial and full nudity, but always tasteful, never salacious.
There is a frisson of danger, as some of the acts select members of the slightly petrified if enthusiastic audience, to become a part of the show, but it is done with such good nature that no one seems to object.
Miss Myra Dubois, a drag queen who takes no prisoners, plays with her audience, first with some well- timed banter and then to encourage an inspired sing a- long of an Elaine Paige/Barbara Dickson duet.
The contortionist gymnast, Beau Sargent, wearing spangled shorts and little else, performed an eye watering athletic and balletic routine that had many gentlemen in the audience sucking in their stomachs.
Later an aerialist, swathed with gossamer wings performed a seamless routine suspended only by her hair as she twirled above our heads. Shedding her wings, she appears naked in a series of breathtakingly beautiful movements, set seamlessly to the music. A special mention here to the house band, ‘Little Death Club,’ a running gag on ‘La Petite Mort’
The Mime artist who did so much more than break the fourth wall, had all of us in fits of laughter as he discussed his performance angst.
If you have ever been on a Roller Coaster ride that lasts a couple of minutes, but feels as though the world has just flipped upside down, this could well be the theatre experience for you. With a running time of only an hour there is time to have a meal afterwards and I guarantee there will be plenty to discuss.
Images courtesy of Alistair Veryard Photography
All details:
| Presented by: | Underbelly and Dead Man Label |
| Price: | Tickets from £21.50(includes £1.50 in fees per ticket) |
| Venue Duration: | UnderBelly Festival – Southbank.
60 minutes |
| Advice: | This performance contains real flame. Contains adult language, nudity, smoke effects. Recommended for ages 18+. |
http://www.underbellyfestival.com/whats-on/little-death-club