The Curtain Goes up on World Class Cabaret In Auckland

The Curtain Goes up on World Class Cabaret In Auckland

Featuring a Parisian party girl, the James Dean of Jazz, a salute to Nina Simone, two British punks, a world of dreams, and a suite of New Zealand cabaret premieres

Auckland Live presents
Auckland Live International Cabaret Season

The Auckland Live International Cabaret Season roars into its third annual season with an exuberant line-up of international and local artists, offering audiences a chance to experience the very best in the global genre that is cabaret. Three central city venues are set to come alive with a dazzling programme of artists from Wednesday 28 September – Sunday 2 October.

“Cabaret has become more than the style we associate with Liza Minelli or the famous Le Chat Noir or Moulin Rouge images of Parisian bars. Cabaret can evoke emotions that delight, inspire, ignite and tug at the heart with engaging stories and celebrate the breadth of music” - Bernie Haldane, Head of Programming & Presenter Services, Auckland Live.

Auckland Live International Cabaret Season secures its spring spot as a cultural highlight for the city and signals a desire to become a mainstay on the circuit for cabaret artists from around the world, whilst also celebrating the burgeoning local talents of the scene. Alongside Auckland Live’s notable season at the Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber, this year Basement Theatre will host a selection of contemporary New Zealand cabaret, and Grey Lynn’s favourite intimate local, Frieda Margolis celebrates the festival feeling with their pop-up piano bar.

For three nights only, critically-acclaimed Songs for the Fallen draws you into an opulent 19th century Parisian boudoir for a rollicking cabaret musical with Paris’ original party girl; Marie Duplessis. This peasant-girl-turned-courtesan, whose story inspired the character Satin in Moulin Rouge, is performed by sensational siren Sheridan Harbridge.This award-winning talent, who has performed alongside John Cleese, flutters into New Zealand for this soiree of the senses between festivals across Australia and the world.

Wellington-born Sheba Williams presents Sheba’s Tribute to Nina Simone, which sees the charismatic Sheba shake up Simone’s repertoire in a high energy show with a touch of audience interaction, glamour and stories about the High Priestess of Soul. Alongside her singing career, Sheba is a novelist, well-known for reading her own writing aloud on Radio New Zealand.

Music lovers can also take a wonderful trip through the life and songs of the legendary “James Dean of Jazz” in the acclaimed biography Freeway: The Chet Baker Journey.Starring international cabaret award winner Tim Draxl, and backed by the stellar jazz veterans Ray Alldridge (piano) and Dave Ellis (bass), these renditions of classic songs will make your heart ache for the bygone era.

UK cult comedy duo Frisky and Mannish ‘brexit’ to New Zealand to perform their fringe festival favourite Frisky & Mannish – Cabariot. This is a LOUD vaudevillian pop music romp like no other! The wild pairing has been described as "wildly talented" - Independent.

Homegrown talent Blackbird Ensemble brings theatrical and ephemeral musing to the stage with Dreams. Led by renowned Auckland-based composer Claire Cowan, nine of New Zealand’s foremost contemporary classical musicians take us on a trance-like sensual exploration of bedroom rituals and revelations of our own subconscious.

Basement Theatre’s lineup features Valerie; a biographical piece by Last Tapes Theatre Company and a finalist in the 2015 Australasian cabaret contest, Suits; a sassy comedic show with a stellar all-female cast and Dragons - Cabtastical; an electric night of cabaret-infused drag led by party irreverent party queen Lola La Bomb with some very special guests.

Freida Margolis will host Love Me Tinder, an operetta for the Tinder generation. The pop-up piano bar will host a dramatic Tinder date that audiences don't have to pretend not to over-hear. Book by Stephen Sinclair and Amy Jansen.

Songs for the Fallen will open the Auckland Live International Cabaret Season on Wed 28 September at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall.

Indulge your epicurean appetite when the cabaret rolls into town!

Collective Catering have designed delicious Cabaret platter packages to further delight the senses as you and your friends set out for a wild night of cabaret fun. Book alongside your tickets and have your catering waiting at your table.

Tickets on sale from 8 August.

Auckland Live International Cabaret Season
28 September – 2 October 2016
Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall
The Basement Theatre, Greys Ave
Frieda Margolis, Grey Lynn
Tickets from $18 - $60
http://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/event/auckland-live-international-cabaret-season
#akcabaret

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