INTERVIEW: Get ready for Bernie Dieter's Berlin Underground at Crown Perth!
The queen of punk kabarett, Bernie Dieter, is back in Perth with a brand new show!
While the news initially had me in disbelief, the feeling was quickly replaced with excitement. With travel totally off the cards for us WA folk, I know I’d do anything to get my hands on some semblance of the Berlin scene. For those who have her had the pleasure of catching Little Death Club at Fringe World Festival over the last few years, you’d be well-acquainted with her talented band of misfits and spellbinding charisma.
Often sold out across the globe, her award-winning shows are known to be wild, daring and full of hilarious surprises in the best possible way. This time, Bernie Dieter’s Berlin Underground will be unveiling an underground pop-up kabarett club at the one and only Crown Perth next Tuesday – where nothing is off limits and debauchery awaits.
For those are equally thrilled as I am, have a read of what the queen herself had to say about her quarantine and the upcoming show!
Wow! It’s been a hell of a year. First of all, how has 2020 been treating you?
It has been one hell of a year for humans everywhere, but I think artists (especially those that work in live performance) have been really affected. We had a whole year of touring planned – Japan, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, just to name a few and it all cancelled in a two-week period. I am feeling so ridiculously lucky and overjoyed to be in Perth right now about to open a show!
We’re all round excited to have you back in Perth! How did you enjoy/tackle your 14-day quarantine?
Quarantine was filled mainly with gin and naked yoga, and lots of very loud singing in my lounge room secretly hoping the neighbours would hear and give me a tiny round of applause!
Having seen Little Death Club at Fringe World Festival these last 2 years, I’m always left wanting more. What’s new and different about Berlin Underground?
We have all new acts my darling, new songs (but keeping a few old favourites!) new weimar punk jazz band, but the biggest difference is the venue. For the first time I have been able to create my ultimate kabarett club from the ground up, and all the immersive debauchery that goes with it!
Perth loves anything that’s a pop-up; a restaurant, event, club… you name it. We’re addicted. What made the Crown the best location for this (not so) secret, pop-up kabarett club?
Crown Perth is such an amazing complex and has the best entertainment in the world – we wanted to be part of that! And, it just so happened an amazing abandoned club was already there and ready for a new lease on life.
I think bringing a bit of Berlin is a beautiful thing to do, with international travel off the cards for us for a long while. I visited the city last July and absolutely fell in love with its streets, nightlife and all-embracing culture. What are the best aspects of Berlin that the show draws from?
It’s one of my favourite cities in the world! What we try to capture in the show is the beautiful feeling of acceptance that the city has. I’m so many diverse, different humans living in one place and being really free and open and accepting. We tried to base the club a little bit on one of my favourite dive bars in Berlin – run by a 6-foot Dutch woman it was full of drag queens and goths and punks and businessmen, you name it they were there. And they would just strike up conversations and drink and laugh together. It was a beautiful thing.
Be it travelling or other logistics, did you face many challenges coordinating this run of the show?
Getting an exemption to travel was difficult, and getting the cast over and quarantined makes everything a bit trickier, but it’s so worth it. Most of us have not been able to be in stage doing what we live for a whole year. It’s all worth it just to get the chance to do that again.
Honestly, I saw that one of my Perth pole idols, Ruby Lai, was set to perform in Berlin Underground. Can you tell us a little more about the rest of your talented misfits?
Yes! It is a phenomenal cast! We have the stunning, gender-bending aerial marvel Jarred Dewey, Perth’s own drag sensation and queen of The Court Scarlet Adams, whisky swirling Cirque du Soleil star Reuben Dot Dot Dot, the hula hooping vixen Lisa Lottie and as you said, the firecracker and absolute queen that is pole dance champion Ruby Lai!
Finally, I know this is a business trip but… What are you most looking forward to enjoying here in Perth?
You have so many amazing restaurants and bars here and I am going to go to ALL of them! I am also going to (on my nights off) try to find a jazz gig and see some live music. God, I have missed it so much! Basically you will find me in any cramped, sweaty places where there are beautiful humans and booze, making up for the time I’ve lost in this crazy, crazy year.