Auckland Falls under the Spell of the Cabaret

Auckland Falls under the Spell of the Cabaret

Auckland Live presents
Auckland International Cabaret Season

Following last year’s lauded premiere the Auckland International Cabaret Season returns to transform the Auckland Town Hall and Herald Theatre for five nights of world class cabaret from Wednesday 2 - Sunday 6 September.

Seven of the hottest cabaret acts from the international and local scene offer a line-up of original, classic, and contemporary performances to create an intimate and intoxicating audience experience. Auckland Town Hall will sizzle with risqué shows from Camille O’Sullivan (IRE), Paul Capsis (AUS), Tim Finn (NZ), Yana Alana (AUS), Lady Sings the Blues (Various NZ artists) and Exposing Edith (AUS), with the season expanding into the Herald Theatre with Ronnie Burkett (CAN) and his extraordinary lifelike marionettes. With so much talent on offer, audiences are invited to enjoy multiple shows every night of the season.

The season launches at the magnificent Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall, with a gala performance of Lady Sings the Blues in partnership with the Auckland Arts Festival and featuring New Zealand’s most powerful female vocalists including Ladi6, Hollie Smith, Whirimako Black, Annie Crummer, Julia Deans, Ria Hall and very special guest Camille O’Sullivan. Marking 100 years since the birth of Billie Holiday, this glamorous line-up will perform songs of exquisite heartache, longing and romance by Lady Day herself and other revered vocalists she inspired.

Irish–French chanteuse Camille O’Sullivan is no stranger to Auckland audiences, who flocked to see her in La Clique in 2009. Camille is a magnetic and seductive songstress with a formidable international reputation, known for her dramatic and sensual interpretations of dark narrative songs. Her highly anticipated performance in this year’s Cabaret Season features music from her recent album Changeling, with interpretations of songs by Radiohead, Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Arcade Fire and more. Recently Camille toured as guest lead vocalist with The Pogues including shows at London’s 02 Arena, and was chosen by Yoko Ono to perform Double Fantasy Live as part of Meltdown at the Royal Festival Hall alongside Patti Smith and Sean Lennon.

Hailed as one the world’s most provocative and elaborate adult puppet makers, international master and multi-award award winner Ronnie Burkett returns to NZ after an eight year hiatus. The Daisy Theatre is Ronnie Burkett unleashed…unscripted, by the seat of his pants, manipulating and voicing his characters through variety acts, impromptu monologues, musical numbers and audience participation, with a cast of forty jaw-dropping marionette characters. Leave the kids at home – Burkett’s work tackles complex emotional and political themes that live with honour in the dark underworld of the cabaret.

Kiwi music icon Tim Finn combines forces with playwright Ken Duncum to offer up a potent journey that reflects his identity, family and sense of home. Using song, narrative, film and photographs, White Cloud will give audiences an intimate glimpse into the private world of one of our most treasured singer-songwriters.

Legendary five-time Helpmann Award-winner and recent Broadway star Paul Capsis is one of Australia’s favourite performers and an international cabaret sensation. With an extensive and remarkably diverse career across film, stage and television,Capsis is heralded for his chameleonic ways and blockbuster voice. Channelling the spirit of divas Judy Garland, Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone and more, he’ll take you on an eclectic and surprising journey through music of love, pain and celebration.

Australia’s diva extraordinaire and award winning cabaret provocateur Yana Alana (aka Sarah Ward) makes her NZ debut with the revealing and deliciously clever cabaret show Between the Cracks, a bent night of blues, burlesque and blame. In this ‘One Woman Show’ (with two people in it) the tyrannical Yana Alana, accompanied by her long suffering accompanist Louise Goh, bares all (quite literally) through song, dance, poetry and tantrums.

Edith Piaf enthusiasts are in for un soirée magique as Exposing Edith offers up a cabaret tale celebrating the life and loves of this petite French icon, who sung her way off the streets of Paris to become an international star. With a mesmerizing voice and trademark black dress, Michaela Burger bears an uncanny resemblance to Piaf, and supported by Greg Wain on guitar, will perform La Vie en rose, Padam Padam and Non, je ne regrette rien alongside lesser-known rarities. Directed by Shona Benson this Australian cabaret show has been hailed by critics for its breathtaking mix of authentic, vintage French pop and contemporary sound.

This year, the Auckland International Cabaret Season has introduced a new exclusive cabaret experience for a truly glamorous night out. Patrons are invited to purchase the very best tables* at cabaret shows of their choice at the Auckland Town Hall and receive a Premium Elite Experience. The experience includes entry into an exclusive lounge, a glass of bubbles and nibbles on arrival, and being personally ushered to their seats just prior to the show. Those interested will have to move fast - there are an extremely limited number of Premium Elite Experience tables available for purchase.

With at least three shows on offer each night the second annual Auckland International Cabaret Season invites audiences to immerse themselves in the hedonistic and artistic decadence that is the world of cabaret.

AUCKLAND INTERNATIONAL CABARET SEASON plays

GREAT HALL, AUCKLAND TOWN HALL
LADY SINGS THE BLUES: Wednesday 2 September, 7.30pm
Tickets: Premium $85*, A Reserve $79*, A Reserve Concession $75*, B Reserve $74*, B Reserve $70*, C Reserve $69*.
Premium Table of 6 $500*, Premium Elite Experience $602*

CONCERT CHAMBER, AUCKLAND TOWN HALL
TIM FINN - WHITE CLOUD: Wednesday 2 September, 6pm, Sunday 6 September, 4.30pm.
Tickets: Premium $39*, Concession $35*, Gallery $29*, Table of 6 $210*, Premium Elite Experience $312*

EXPOSING EDITH: Saturday 5 September, 7.30pm and Sunday 6 September, 7pm.
Tickets: Premium $35*, Concession and Gallery $25*, Table of 6 $180*, Premium Elite Experience $282*

CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN: CHANGELING: Thursday 3 and Friday 4 September, 7.30pm, Sunday 6 September, 8.30pm.
Tickets: Premium $59*, Concession $55*, Gallery $49*, Table of 6 $330*, Premium Elite Experience $432*.

AN EVENING WITH THE INCREDIBLE MR CAPSIS: Thursday 3 and Friday 4 September, 9.15pm, Saturday 5 September, 6.00pm.
Tickets: Premium $39*, Concession and Gallery $29*, Table of 6 $210*, Premium Elite Experience $312*

YANA ALANA: BETWEEN THE CRACKS Friday 4 September 6.00pm, Saturday 5 September, 10pm.
Tickets: Premium $35*, Concession $30*, Gallery $25*, Table of 6 $180*, Premium Elite Experience $282*

HERALD THEATRE
THE DAISY THEATRE BY RONNIE BURKETT THEATRE OF MARIONETTES Wednesday 2 – Saturday 5 September, 8pm.Sunday 6 September, 6pm.
Tickets: Premium $59*, Concession $55*

Bookings through Ticketmaster – www.ticketmaster.co.nz or 09 970 9700.

ENDS

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