Bernie Dieter once again impresses at Fringe: 5 Questions with the Mistress of Punk Cabaret

By creammagazine, January 31, 2024

Cabaret queen Bernie Dieter has once again impressed audiences at Perth Fringe festival. As one friend put it in a recent Facebook post, Dieter’s act never gets old. And nor does the woman herself it seems, if the energy-packed shenanigans on stage (and off) are anything to go by.

Dieter is both curator and star of her now-famous ‘Club Kabarett’ show in which she innovatively reinterprets songs by Prince, the Beatles, Radiohead and Gossip, all interspersed with brilliant acts by invited beautiful “freaks, punks and weirdos”.

Dieter is whimsical and witty in a production that sees classic ‘Weimer’-style cabaret mixed in with astonishing acrobatics and cheeky – always hilarious – humour.

The new show features a bevy of aerial action stars, burlesque that goes beyond the ordinary, and possibly the most astonishing contortionism you’ll ever witness.

Set in Northbridge’s newly vamped L’Euro Grande, it looks like a bigger venue than we’re used to for a Dieter show, which is testament to this woman’s ever-expanding audience.

Once again, nothing is off limits and no seat is safe, so grab a shot of something strong and enter the darkest, funniest, and most debauched club this side of Berlin.

Here, Bernie chats with Cream about the importance of performance art and the beauty in celebrating diversity amongst peeps.

Interview by Antonino Tati

 

Hi Bernie. You’ve said your show gets to showcase the talents of your “favourite freaks, punks and weirdos”. Could you elaborate?

I see it as a glorious celebration of difference; of the feminine, the masculine, and everything in between; of strength and beauty and confidence. I think we need more of that in the world right now.

 

There’s quite a bit of gender-bending in your shows. Why is non-binary gender-play a good thing?

I hope the shows open people’s minds so they can see that we are all beautiful, weird, wonderful humans, and that whatever gender we subscribe to, we have more things in common than we realise.

 

There’s some talk about the love of alcohol in your performances, including an ode to your grandma who, I believe, taught you how to drink. Can strictly sober people still enjoy the show?

Well my darling, as you know I do like a drink, and I think it does help some people to loosen up and be more open to having a good time. That being said, some of my best friends are tee-total and they can party harder and have more fun than most people. The show is for everyone that has a good sense of humour and the desire to engage with it.

 

 

What are three things you couldn’t leave home without when touring?

Gin, ‘Lick My Pussy’ Tote bags [which you be purchased at sound-merch.com.au], and probably more gin.

 

When you get to Heaven or Hell, and the powers that be say you can bunk with any artist you like, who would that artist be? And what would you say to him or her when you greet them?

One day I’m hoping to meet Dolly Parton so I can ask her to pass me the gin and tell me her stories, because as I always say, ‘Hell is empty and all the devils are here’!

Bernie Dieter’s ‘Club Kabarett’ is on at Fringe Festival in Perth; tickets available here.

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