MEDIA RELEASE
6 October 2007
The Husky Voice Of The Underground Calls For A Season Of Complete Decadence
Silo Theatre presents BERLIN
Following last year’s highly successful season of JACQUES BREL, Silo Theatre returns with another stunning cabaret for
its final show of 2006. BERLIN will venture deep inside the decadent world of composer Kurt Weill, and the gloriously
debauched German Cabaret scene of the 1930s.
In true cabaret style, BERLIN promises a highly intimate experience for both audience and performers. Welcomed to your
table by Paul Barrett - your MC for the evening, our three cabaret singers take to the stage - donned in fishnets,
distressed undergarments, highly camp make-up and flamboyant costumes; to begin a musical journey that encapsulates the
sexuality, power, propaganda, emotion and wild bohemian attitudes of the this highly theatrical time in history.
BERLIN is the directorial debut of Award–Winning designer John Verryt following an impressive 28 year career in theatre
design. In this time he has worked many of the big names in the NZ theatre and dance including Douglas Wright, Michael
Parmenter, Michael Hurst, Christian Penny, Mike Mizrahi and Raymond Hawthorne; in addition to NBR NZ Opera and Auckland
Theatre Company. This experience has led him to choose a team for his first directing project that is set to be a great
success.
BERLIN brings a posse of performers and live musicians to the stage for a collection of 28 songs, chosen to recreate the
intoxicating atmosphere of a pre-WWII late night cabaret. Joined by the exceptional talents of Andrew Laing and Lana
Nesnas, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, one of NZ’s most celebrated performers, combines her powerful voice, inimitable stage
presence and musical prowess to make this three-hander, the musical experience of 2006.
BERLIN’S score is largely taken from the timeless compositions of the legendary Kurt Weill, whose music is characterized
by its dark, sardonic, passionate and sexual tones.
Weill is widely known for the pop standard MACK THE KNIFE, which has been recorded by hundreds of musicians including
Louis Armstrong, Frank Sinatra, The Psychedlic Furs, Ella Fitzgerald, Robbie Williams, Nick Cave, and even Westlife and
Kevin Spacey.
directed by JOHN VERRYT
music directed by PAUL BARRETT
choregraphed by MICHAEL PARMENTER
designed by ELIZABETH WHITING, VICTORIA INGRAM & ANDREW MALMO
featuring JENNIFER WARD-LEALAND (The Goat; Twelfth Night; Marlene)
ANDREW LAING (Jacques Brel; Mr Marmalade; Twelfth Night)
LANA NESNAS (Dirty Dancing) and a live four-piece jazz ensemble
with TABLE SERVICE & CABARET SEATING
BERLIN plays at Silo Theatre
November 10 - December 16
Bookings through Ticketmaster on 09 970 9700 or www.ticketmaster.co.nz
ends