Amid a divisive and inflammatory election cycle—where the rights of women, First Nations folk, and queer people are being flouted across the board—Bernie Dieter and her menagerie of misfits have created a safe space for all at Club Kabarett.
Here at Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett, the ‘Mistress of Mayhem’ herself orchestrates a compelling and awe-inspiring show consisting of a cast of aerialists, drag performers, contortionists, acrobats and more.
For Bernie Dieter, the self-described cabaret superstar, the show—at its very core—is about connection (even for just an hour or two). “At the heart of it all, I just want to bring people together,” Dieter tells Not Safe For Queers. “I want to bring people into a beautiful, safe space where they feel happy and welcome and full of joy.”
And while this same aspiration has been shared by many a performer across the ages, very few have actually managed to keep their audiences as engaged and unified as Dieter does during Club Kabarett. In fact, at numerous times during the show, feelings of both surprise and disgust can be seen written clearly on the faces of show-goers.
“That’s one of the beautiful things about it,” Dieter explains. “I want the show to bring people kicking and screaming into the present. I want people to feel the whole range of emotions: everything from wonder at seeing someone literally put a neon lightsaber down their throat, through to awe at seeing the grace and beauty of our gender-bending aerialists.”
“But there’s also that beautiful sense of connection that is lacking in our lives at the moment and that the world is trying to crush. The show allows you to be a bit vulnerable and to be present in those beautiful moments and celebrate that we’re actually all weird, wonderful, amazing humans who actually have a lot more in common than sometimes we realise.”
Just as Dieter explains, while Club Kabarett may be incredibly entertaining, there’s an ever-underlying tone of gravity throughout the words being spoken and sung, and the performances taking place on stage. Among them are unsubtle references to the rights of women and trans and gender diverse people, two issues close to heart for Dieter.
“Weimar cabaret (which is the style of cabaret that I would say is relevant to our show) has always been political and subversive and satirical, and it really is a commentary on what is happening in the world at the time.”
“So I feel like it’s almost just as relevant now as it was the last time that Weimar cabaret was really prominent—because that was also a time of political upheaval, and conservative, far-right values where people needed something to allow them to rebel and feel empowered to be themselves.”
“It feels really relevant at this point in time with all of the crazy shit that’s happening at the moment.”
Ultimately, Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett has proven itself to be many things at once—with more than enough substance and grit to keep even the most hesitant audience members satiated.
“It’s one helluva party. We have something for everyone and everyone is welcome. It’s just a beautiful safe space for people to let their freak flag fly, let loose, and get a little bit intimate with each other.”
Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett runs until May 11 at North Melbourne’s Meat Market. Tickets on sale now.