Auckland Live Cabaret Season

Overview

When music, drag, theatre and comedy mix together, you get the Auckland Live Cabaret Season. After reconnecting with its scandalous youth, The Civic has decided to host live cabaret for one week, and one week only, because too much glam could be dangerous.

From 11–16 June, multiple shows will be rumbling within the jewel of Auckland to celebrate New Zealand's own cabaret legend, Freda Stark. Different shows will be popping up each night for a week, starting with Delicious Oblivion, a wild rejig of the Weimar songbook starring Jennifer Ward-Lealand, directed by Shane Bosher and featuring musical direction from Robin Kelly — expect rousing anthems that explore the hypocrisy of politics and the art of the possible.

In true drag-form, Pasifika-flavoured The Heels are Alive plays on words, as well as your heart. Yummy is a transgressive and gender fluid party, while The NZ Mix Tape celebrates New Zealand music with the APO, Liam Finn, Anna Coddington and Nadia Reid at the helm. Grand Opening, by wickedly wonderful Wellington theatre-makers, leads audiences in an immersive room-to-room tour behind the velvet curtain and in the depths of the historic venue.

A secret doorway will lead to the hidden Piano Bar, packed with cabaret artists, musicians and late-night magic. Host Reuben Kaye will be holding court, stirring martinis and inviting punters to take to the stage. Wrapping up the season in the home of musical theatre will be some of Aotearoa's leading music theatre performers in Music Theatre Unleashed.

If you're looking for glitz and glam, you have most certainly come to the right place. Come for a show or two from the hefty and fabulous lineup. For tickets, prices, and full session times check out the Auckland Live website.