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Barry Humphries’ Weimar Cabaret

— ,Barbican Theatre

Barry Humphries is our masterfully seasoned emcee and cabaret diva Meow Meow our chanteuse in this risqué, sophisticated and seductive tribute to the jazz-infused music of the Weimar Republic.

Some describe it as cabaret’s golden age: the remarkable period in 1920s and 30s’ Berlin when hedonistic partying and social revolution turned nightclubs into hotbeds of decadent entertainment. Reawakening that spirit, our hosts acquaint us with the oft-forgotten composers of the time, many Jewish, whose art would be condemned as ‘degenerate’ by the Nazis, dancing as it did on the edge of a precipice.

Best known as Dame Edna Everage, Humphries shares his personal passion for a period that has long fascinated him, his witty anecdotes and irreverent asides providing interludes to a treasure trove of songs and instrumentals. Meow Meow gives us Kurt Weill standards alongside rarities from Friedrich Hollaender, Ernst Krenek and Erwin Schulhoff, both world-renowned Australian artists are accompanied by London’s trailblazing Aurora Orchestra.

Tagged with: Theatre & dance Classical music

Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes, including an interval
Age guidance: 12+
Language: Performed in English and German
Accessible performance: There is a captioned performance on Thursday 26 July

Sun 15 Jul, Pre-show talk, 1.30pm
Dr Peter Tregear is a renowned expert on the culture of Weimar Berlin, and worked closely with Barry Humphries in designing his Weimar Cabaret. In this pre-concert talk he brings this period of history to life, and introduces the composers and the music that make up the afternoon’s performance. Free to same-day ticket holders. 

Sun 22 Jul, Post-show talk 
Stay after the show to hear more about the making of Barry Humphries’ Weimar Cabaret. International cabaret diva Meow Meow and musical director, soloist and vocalist Satu Vänskä talk music, culture and what it’s like to work with Barry Humphries. Free to same-day ticket holders. 

Co-presented by the Barbican 

Produced and co-presented by Fiery Angel

Reviews

Discover

photo of neil gaiman

Weimar Cabaret: what the audience thought

 

Neil Gaiman, Rick Stein, Sean Rafferty and more tell us what they thought of Weimar Cabaret.

meow meow in front of a black background

Watch: Barry Humphries and Meow Meow introduce Weimar Cabaret

 

Discover the inspiration behind the show and how the pair came to work together on this sophisticated tribute to the music of the Weimar Republic.

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Barbican Theatre

Location
The Barbican Theatre is located within the main Barbican building. Head to Level G and follow the signs to find your seating level. 

Address
Barbican Centre
Silk Street, London
EC2Y 8DS

Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.