Bend Your Gender in 1930s Fun

Bend Your Gender in 1930s Fun

The hugely successful Toi Cabaret returns this year full of androgynous raunchy fun. A showcase for the musical talents of the second year actors from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, this year’s Toi Cabaret brings the decadent traditions of the Weimar Republic to life in a Wellington nightclub.

The Weimar Republic is the name given to Germany between the end of World War I and the rise of the Nazi Party. It was a time full of hedonistic decadence and debauchery, and has been made famous through scenes from Metropolis by Fritz Lang, images of Marlene Dietrich in The Blue Angel and stage productions of The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht.

This hotbed of frenzied immorality will be brought to life in all singing and dancing delicious evening of fun, directed by Adrian Barnes.

“We’re looking at the actors confronting sin, sex, pirates, love, longing, temptation and titillation through some fantastic music and openly honest acting. There’s going to be hardly anything for them to hide behind in terms of their costume and where I’m asking them to come from in exploring their sexuality onstage,” said Adrian.

Adrian has appeared in many musicals in the West End as well as touring his own cabaret show around the world and has come to New Zealand from Sydney especially to direct Toi Cabaret.

“This year’s show is mostly comprised of songs by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Eisner, and Wolf Beirmann, because they are so outrageously frank and wonderfully witty,” said Adrian. “We’re mostly sticking with music written during the 1920s and 1930s, although some more recent songs will be performed in the naughtily up front style of the period.”

Some of the more recognisable tunes in the show include Pirate Jenny, Surabaya Johnny, Don’t Tell Mama, Want to Buy Some Illusions and Alabama Song.

ENDS