Aidan Harper
THERE are many different types and styles of theatre and music shows to choose from and each are unique in their own way. This year welcomes the return of a different kind of show called Trash Cabaret, at Hillcrest Quarry, Durbanville, on May 14 from 4pm.
The first Trash Cabaret was devised by Elise Deguire, a French-Canadian clown and professional street performer from Montreal, who was then in South Africa with the Zip-Zap Circus. Deguire wanted to do a comedy act dressed as a nun and she roped in Riaan Smit of Crimson House to create the background music for her act. There was considerable interest from other Zip-Zap Circus performers who were also keen to be included so she decided to do a theatre cabaret show to have fun and at the same time raise money for charity. Trash Cabaret was born with just 15 people in the form of eight professional performing circus acts including jugglers, acrobats, gymnasts, trapeze artists and clowns with Smit taking the position of band leader. Trash Cabaret has grown over the years and has graduated into a 70-strong multi-cultural circus cabaret extravaganza with Smit organically earning the title of Ringmaster.
Since its inception Trash Cabaret has been nomadic in its journey as each unique show has been performed at a different venue. The latest incarnation is entitled Carnival Of Dreams and will be hosted at the Hillcrest Quarry. It is also the first time that Trash Cabaret will take to an outside stage. The day’s activities run from 6pm. Smit says “It’s like all the performers have their own super-powers and they all come together to collaborate in one crazy show but it is all planned and we try and get as much magic out as possible”.
Smit also explains, “There will be up to three acts happening around you simultaneously and the audience becomes part of the show”. Smit goes on to say, “This is a once off experience as the people are new, fresh and unique every time”. The performers are also special as the Trash Cabaret crew is always on the look out for new talent. In a previous show they recruited the Mzantzi marching band which they saw busking on a train and some visiting Samurai sword performers who sliced popcorn in mid-air. Trash Cabaret has included performers from all over the world. Smit says that so far there have been some five hundred artists who have been through the ranks.
There is also a community element and Smit says “We work with a few charity organisations by giving back to the smaller performance art school charities such as Assetej who bring the kids off the streets and teach them arts such as performance, creative writing, painting, poetry and production. People can see some of our auditions and rehearsals on our YouTube channel”.
Smit promises that the Hillcrest Quarry venue will be transformed into a carnival wonderland with tumbling, aerial, juggling, aerial acrobatics, dancing and full live bands. He says, “There will be two stages this time around with many acts playing on the smaller stage and then participating in one big crazy show on the main stage at 8pm”.
Smit adds “We are doing Carnival Of Dreams so there’s going to be carnival rides and jumping castles to pretty much make Trash Cabaret an adult playground. It’s also dress-up so everyone is encouraged to bring out their inner-child and come along in costume as the character of their dreams”.
Some of the amazing acts are: Actionarte Foundation, a non-profit organisation from Hanover Park, that has a troupe of 15 acrobats. Actionarte was founded by second-generation circus performer Marlin Roos and Hanne La Cour who both studied professional circus and teaching in Madrid; Sky Dance Studio which has a troupe that will perform on aerial hoop, tippy lyra, dance trapeze and hammock.
St Fox who is Trash Cabaret’s stage manager participates in the show as Drag King (St.Fox) or Burlesque Dancer (Velveteen Noir) and uses an angle-grinder in some of her acts. St Fox also co-runs Black Orchid Burlesque along with Diva Disastarr (Starr) who is also the costumier, choreographer and performance coordinator. The burlesque shows follow Traditional Classic Burlesque to what is now commonly known as Neo-Burlesque or Caburlesque. Black Orchid Burlesque promises that they have much madness and mischief in store for you.
Another is the Emzantsi Bloco led by Leo Letsape aka Mr.Letsparty consists of 30 members of a Samba Bloco which is a carnival street band. Psychedelic Theatre is definitely worth watching and promise theatre with a twist as they use fire, dance and music as a medium. The Unknown Dance Crew is a must see who wear masks and do comedy dance.
Some of the bands providing the music for the performances are: The Nomadic Orchestra which is a five-piece instrumental dance band and will be performing a full set alongside Crimson House. Smit says that those are the only two bands playing as ‘complete’ outfits as the main Trash Cabaret band that will be playing throughout the day and in the main show will be a conglomeration of musicians from both and additional band members from the likes of eMzantzi Bloco, Rudimentals and top local musicians such as saxophonist Nick Becker and Anne Jangle. Another is Cami Scoundrel who plays double bass, bass, and guitar with a little bit of piano, melodica and banjo on the side. Sometimes she uses a loop and multiple instruments to create a dissident folk/punk/blues style.
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