Bradley Boniface/Supplied
Mr Lola Illusion and Hollie Berry will take audiences on a heady trip to the Roaring Twenties with ”a marvellous party” at Globe Theater on Friday.
Theater-goers have the chance to travel through time to a post-war 1920s party that will live up to the adage, “life is a cabaret”.
Globe Theater will host Lola and Friends – A Marvelous Party on Friday, inviting audiences to forget their troubles and immerse themselves in a world of circus, burlesque, comedy and song.
Cabaret attained its pinnacle during the Golden Age of Weimar, the years between 1925-1929.
The late Weimar era was particularly known for its cabarets, set in restaurants or nightclubs where patrons sat to enjoy a meal while being entertained by a procession of singers, dancers and comedians, often on a small stage.
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Artistic director and MC Ian Harman, whose stage name is Lola Illusion, has been performing cabaret for over 20 years and said the idea came about when he got to thinking about the freedoms of the era when cabaret performance had a queer, camp, fun focus .
“I thought about what that time would be like, and the progression that might have happened, if the second world war hadn’t broken out and feminism, people of color and gay rights, would have all changed.
“That kind of underlies it all, that sense of freedom and expression within those characters.”
Harman thought it was a chance to touch on 100 years of cabaret and how he could take audiences back into that space, show them what it was about while putting a modern twist on it.
“The acts are put together to evoke a mood and time, while highlighting our talented cabaret and underground artists.”
Harman said a highlight of the evening was guest star Miss HellBlazer, a contortionist from Wellington, who would bring “an opium den 1920s vibe” to her performance.
“It’s the first time we have had contortion on our stage, so that is really exciting for us.
“She has a really beautiful and exciting point of view, so I am really thrilled to have her.”
Douglas Seivers Jarrett would hope to amaze audiences with his strength and agility performing on a fly pole. The act, similar to a pole dance, is performed on a pole suspended from the ceiling.
Jarrett’s alter ego, Molly Mustard would also make an appearance on a suspended aerial hoop.
Costa DeMillion, Hollie Berry and Man’s Ruin from The Boom Boom Room Burlesque, are bringing their 1920s repertoire to the stage, and breakout artist and vocalist Shawanda Scanlon-Parker will be making her solo debut.
Leona Revell and Alan Dingley from Spontaneous will improv their way through the night, providing party games, and encouraging “a little bit of drinking”.
Limited tickets are available on the Globe Theater website.