For the last month Yarraville-based performer Lachlan Bartlett has been living a double life.
An inner-west resident by day, Bartlett has been transforming into a cabaret artist in 1920’s Berlin by night as part of his role in Club Kabarett.
Written by and staring the queen of German cabaret punk, Bernie Deiter, Club Kabarett is set in the burgeoning pre-war Weimar cabaret scene and has been showing at the Meat Market in North Melbourne since April 3.
But with the final performance on Sunday May 11, Bartlett’s double life playing is about to come to an end.
The Queensland born performer urged his fellow inner-west residents to come along and experience wild world of Weimar cabaret in the few performances they have left.
“Club Kabarett is more than just a cabaret and variety show,” Bartlett said.
“It is a home where people can be “whoever the f*ck they want to be” as our mistress of mayhem Bernie Dieter describes in the beginning of the show. Bernie is the leader of misfits where you’ll see a blend of circus, drag and music all inspired by Berlin’s Weimar era.”
It’s one of those misfits, Iva Rosebud, that Bartlett has been transforming into for the last month.
“Iva is a blend of Phyllis Dyller and Cruella De ‘Vil. She is part showgirl, part story teller, part clown,”said Bartlett describing his character.
Unsurprisingly, transforming into Iva involves Bartlett adorning plenty of costumes and make-up, including a red sequined ballgown, beautiful black hair and, er, a moustache.
As Bartlett explained, it’s in keeping with the theme of Club Kabarett.
“It’s a show about freedom and giving stage to stories and identities that challenge the mainstream.”
Tickets and bookings: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/bernie-dieters-club-kabarett-tickets-1221907431019?aff=oddtdtcreator
