REVIEW: Bernie Dieter's Berlin Underground @ Crown Perth
Photos courtesy of Johannes Reinhart
Having taken over the abandoned Eve Nightclub at Crown Perth, Bernie Dieter's Berlin Underground is in town – and it’s enchanting, sensual and uproarious.
Greeted by drag queens, we were led into the glitzy hive of the cool pop-up kabarett club with much left to the imagination. It was as if we'd be let in on some secret. The atmosphere was hazy and Bernie's misfits sauntered around pre-show, with The Fear playing an alluring musical introduction suspended between burlesque and swing.
In a raucous rock-and-roll entrance, Bernie Dieter made her grand entrance with her piercing gaze and signature boa of black feathers. Welcoming in all the 'punks, freaks and weirdos', Bernie proceeded to make herself comfortable as she lay her eyes on her next target. In fact, if you were seated near the stage and presented as a heterosexual man, you could say goodbye to personal space!
The audience involvement was filled with hilarious interactions, of which everyone absolutely lapped up. From zipping up into a pandemic-friendly biohazard suit to getting random people to carry her up onto stage while maintaining her powerhouse vocals, we could tell we were in for a ride.
Most mesmerizing of all was Bernie's diverse cast of talented misfits who kept us on the edge of our seat all night. With femme fatale Lisa Lottie's hypnotising hoop routine, Perth drag sensation Scarlet Adams giving us a Hollywood-worthy striptease, it was a sight to behold.
It was a superhuman showcase with Cirque Du Soleil star Reuben Dot Dot showing off his whiskey swirling, hand balancing acrobatics – while Jarred Dewey had us in disbelief with his stunning aerial trapeze tricks and contortionist ways.
Perth pole champion, Ruby Lai, graced us with a powerful performance in which she entered draped in derogatory and stigmatising labels. Physically and figuratively shedding these labels one by one, she spread an important message before captivating the crowd with her flawless pole routine filled with gravity-defying inverts.
With touring having evaporated with the pandemic, it was heartwarming to see Bernie Dieter overflowing with gratitude for being able to perform live again. Finally, our mistress of mayhem treated us to the song ‘A Is For Alcohol – dedicated to her grandma, which she sadly mentioned she might never see again with the borders closed.
"Though out of all the things my grandma taught me, it's how to drink!" Bernie exclaimed. This, combined with her stripped-back renditions of MGMT's 'Time To Pretend' and David Bowie's 'Five Years' earlier in the night, proved truly phenomenal.
At the end, she gave thanks to touring company Zaccaria Concerts and her band who showed off their own smashing guitar, keyboard, bass and drum solos. With all the acts returning back to stage, they left us with one final bow as they received the love of the entire audience.
For those who have yet to witness Bernie Dieter and her misfits in action, make no mistake and be sure to grab your tickets before you miss out!
