Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett (Meat Market) – cabaret review

With a powerful and pulsating music base, inspired by Berlin in the 1920s, Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett is slick and sizzling, ribald and rambunctious. It presents the finest of cabaret, circus acts and gender bending bravado, which gives the middle finger to convention with a cheeky grin. It is hip and happening and the crowd goes absolutely wild for it.

With a mighty three-piece band already in place, 10 minutes before the show the artistes begin circling. They make quite a statement with their sexually charged attire, handing out little black and white flags, each containing a single word: Freak, Weirdo, Punk, Filthy. The tone is set for an evening of debauched fun and reckless abandon.

  Photos by Cameron Grant

Bernie Dieter strides onto the catwalk stage beaming. Her melodic, full-throated vocals intoxicate for the rest of the night. She steps down and mingles with the audience. In quick time, she has picked out four men to hold and caress her. But wait, there is more, as three of them carry her back onto the stage and gyrate with her. Dieter, the songstress, is a mainstay of this provocative production as the acts roll on.

Trousers, shirt, shoes and socks are quickly abandoned by the most nimble and muscular of performers, Danik Abishev, as he displays spectacular athletic prowess. Hand stands and hand jumps across five pivot points on solid, stationary equipment are mind blowing. Next up is fire eater Jacqueline Furey, who appears to relish making a meal of the flames that cascade down her arms, into her mouth and even her genitalia. Oh my!

The tallest of fit, slender men with long, glossy black heels and a deep voice abandons full dress to expose black taped nipple covers and lower quarters. Lachlan Barlett as Iva Rosebud does the splits and, moments later, more. Blush … oh, no, no, no, no … just freedom and joy. A small trunk is wheeled onto stage containing an agile and attractive woman. Soliana Ersie smiles and contorts herself on and around the box, time and again folding herself over. Jarred Dewey quickly drops his sheer black negligee and makes the trapeze look effortless … a play thing, readily tamed and conquered.

After interval, Dieter again takes to the stage in dress and cape that speaks volumes with its distinct messaging – my body, my choice! It elicits roars of approval. The muscular pocket rocket Danik Abishev returns, clambering up and performing remarkable feats on a series of six-step ladders. His control is amazing. He is on fire, as is one of the ladders.

Wearing the equivalent of designer rainwear with epithets including Jezebel, Home Wrecker and Tramp, Jacqueline Furey is back, this time to swallow swords. And then the tallest of tall guys, Iva Rosebud, with genitalia flying, has R-rated fun with whipped cream birthday cake. You simply must see it to appreciate it in its full glory.

Dieter follows with an ode to a “f..ked up” world. Leopold Pentland is a maestro of the aerial straps, using not just his hands, but his mouth, foot and neck. At times he drops head first, barely centimetres from the ground. Wow! And finally, Dieter produces a raucous drinking song as a tribute to her grandmother in Germany … who taught her how to drink.

The vibe of this two-hour long show including interval is electrifying. Seeing such extraordinary performers strutting their stuff with distinct style makes Meat Market such a happy place to be. Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett is powerful and potent, energy on steroids. It is a great night out. Viva la difference, I say, for that seems to be the byword of Dieter, et al. I couldn’t recommend this adults only show more highly. It is a beauty and it is on until 11th May, 2025.

Alex First

Other reviews you might enjoy:

• Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett (Queen Victoria Market) – theatre review
• Finucane & Smith’s Global Smash Club (Melbourne Fringe Festival) – theatre review
• Cabaret Night Fever (The Butterfly Club) – theatre review