★★★★★
From the moment you step into Club Kabarett’s sultry re-envisioning of Meat Market in North Melbourne, it’s clear this isn’t your typical night out at the theatre. Boys and girls, the sexy circus is in town! Prepare to be swept up, shaken about, and seduced into something a little more dangerous under the command of the self-proclaimed Mistress of Mayhem, Bernie Dieter.
Bernie Dieter is a sultry force to be reckoned with as her powerhouse vocals guide the audience through a whirlwind of gravity-defying, intimate, and often jaw-dropping acts.
Backed by a sensational live band, she becomes the thread to the story of Club Kabarett. There’s an effortless authority to her presence, equal parts chaotic and controlled, setting the tone that well and truly anything could happen.
As you walk into the dimly lit room, the acts are already getting you warmed up. By the time the show starts, you’ve already laughed out loud, been a little worried you’re going to get called upon to participate and been absolutely gagged by the talent of this group.
And things certainly heat up from here. Jacqueline Furey quite literally brings the fire, delivering a flame-filled spectacle that is as thrilling as it is genuinely nerve-wracking. Knife swallowing, fire breathing – it’s all undeniably HOT.
It’s danger wrapped in glamour, and it’s impossible to look away. I also could not stop thinking about how one even discovers this talent…Furey is certainly braver and more bad a** than I can even begin to imagine.
The aerial and pole performances are nothing short of mesmerising. Jarred Dewey moves with a kind of strength and cool precision that makes the impossible look effortless. Melissa Lee delivers a suspension act that is, quite literally, hair-raising. I don’t think a single jaw in the audience was not dropped down on the floor.
Then there’s Soliana Erse, whose act borders on the unbelievable. As someone who dabbles in yoga, I found myself briefly thinking, “Oh, I can kind of do that,” before she seamlessly folded into a position with her head between her thighs that made it very clear that no, I absolutely cannot. It’s awe-inspiring and a little unreal.
A standout surprise comes from Caleb Cameron, who proves that tap dancing can, in fact, be deeply sensual. Carrying a certain je ne sais quoi , smoking a cigarette while dancing is rhythmic, hypnotic, and unexpectedly sultry. A perfect example of how Club Kabarett delights in subverting expectations.
Threaded throughout is the avant-garde presence of ‘tradie by day, drag queen by night’ Iva Rosebud, adding another layer of artistry and gorgeousness to an already stacked lineup. Rosebud’s costumes are absolutely dripping with luxuriousness (and of course, I mean the birthday suit).
Visually, the show is just as impressive. The lighting creates a rich, atmospheric backdrop that shifts seamlessly with each act. As aforementioned, the live band is punk and electric as they perfectly timed themselves with each act, further adding complexity to the atmosphere. Together, sound and lighting enhance every moment without ever overshadowing the performers.
Overall, Club Kabarett is more than a collection of acts; it’s an escape. For a couple of hours, you’re invited into a world that is bold, bizarre, seductive, and unapologetic.
While the show has some overtly emotional political moments, it is also political simply in its existence. It revels in the freedom to embrace the wacky, the kooky and the beautifully diverse elements of being human; a reminder of how valuable that space is, and how important it is to protect it.
Dieter urges us throughout the show to “take your skin off and dance,” and you realise that’s exactly what you’ve done. Prepare yourself to let go, lean in, and be thoroughly, thrillingly, titillatingly entertained by Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett.
Bernie Dieter’s Club Kabarett runs to 7 June 2026 at Meat Market. 3 Blackwood Street North Melbourne, Vic 3051.
Tickets: https://clubkabarett.flicket.io/
Website: https://meatmarket.org.au/event/club-kabarett/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/clubkabarett/
Images supplied.
