The largest Season yet brings a diverse line-up packed full of variety – from classic favourites to brand new world premieres – that leaves no doubt that the voice of cabaret in Aotearoa is soaring.
Award-winning theatre actor and entertainer Rutene Spooner is bringing not one but two shows to the Cabaret Season this year. Thoroughly Modern Māui is the ultimate Māori cabaret, with Spooner investigating what it takes to become the modern Māori male superhero. Filled with original music and heart-felt storytelling from this seasoned musical theatre performer, this is one you don’t want to miss.
Hardcore Hori Housie
Once you’ve fallen in love with Spooner’s quick witted and cheeky antics, snap up a ticket to his interactive game show Hardcore Hori Housie. Expect a night of hard-case Māori humour and classic Kiwi tunes while you spin, win, and grin through a game of housie, a nod to the nostalgic game that Rutene brings to life with his Billy T-esque charm. Plus there’s kete packed full of prizes that you could win! Never played Housie before? Rutene says of the show “It’s the Māori way to play – just like a game of bingo, only brown.”
Continue your Cabaret journey with The Veils’ lead singer Finn Andrews joining forces with NZTrio to perform songs from Finn’s first solo album One Piece at a Time. Masterfully arranged by composer Victoria Kelly, these exquisitely touching works take on a new power using the combined musical impact of these talented musicians.
If you’ve been loving RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under get yourself to midnight screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show hosted by the fabulous Anita Wigl’it. There are heaps of classic movies to choose from as part of Vintage Cabaret Cinema, and where better to watch timeless films like Cabaret, Funny Girl and All That Jazz than under the starry sky of Auckland’s original ‘picture palace’.
The Civic’s Wintergarden
Three more incredible queens from Tāmaki Makaurau – Miss Manage, Miss Givings, and Miss Demeanor – will light up the late-night slots at The Civic’s Wintergarden with Les Femmes. A sizzling songbook of girl group classics from the likes of Diana Ross and The Supremes, The Spice Girls, and more.
Meanwhile the infamous Fine Fatale will delve into your deepest fantasies and wildest dreams in a roaring extravaganza hosted by the Taka Tu Wops. FEVER: The Return of the Ula is a night out like no other, that will tickle your fancies, pump up your heart rate, and send the city to Alert Level 10!
With the Season spanning more than two weeks, you’ll be wanting to wet your whistle with multiple shows nightly, and explore some of The Civic’s hidden secrets in between. Strike up a conversation with a stranger and you may find they have password to get you into the Secret Piano Bar – the underground post-show haunt packed with artists and musicians, where the dirtiest martinis in town await.
After your drink in The Civic’s depths wander the gilded corridors to find the entrance of the building’s mysterious attic. Inside you may find the weird and wonderful DJ Barnie Duncan in his Club-a-lub-a-ling-long, full with his strangest records, wonkiest jokes and unexpected surprises.
