Alice Pearce takes a cheeky peek behind the Cabaret Festival's (velvet) curtain and chats with Vanessa Immink - Creative Producer at Auckland Live, part of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited – as she shares what’s on offer for creatives and how you can be a part of it.

All That Glitters

The spectacular Civic is about to get more glitzy than usual - and it comes with an open invitation for creatives to stamp their own glam on the occasion.

Auckland Live’s Cabaret Festival is fast becoming one to mark (with glitter) on the arts event calendar - a two-week season of shows and activities filled with intrigue and magic - kicking off with All That Glitters: The Gala Night, on 3 June. 

If you’re a creative who’s always been a bit ‘cabaret curious’ - then the festival is your perfect entry into the art form. You might even find it feels much closer to home than you expect.

Vanessa Immink, Creative Producer at Auckland Live, part of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, admits there is a common misconception that cabaret is just, “feathers, glitter, songs, and a few cheeky jokes - but it’s always been deeper than that. Cabaret, and art, are about holding a mirror up to society and an artist’s response to that”.

Immink points out “Cabaret pulls from almost all art forms.” Indeed - dancers, singers, actors, comedians and more are all likely to find parts of themselves in this particular performance world. 

"At its core, it’s about connection - the artist usually speaks directly to the audience. Cabaret is where live performance gets up close, gets cheeky, and says the quiet part out loud. It’s part storytelling, part social commentary, often served with a side of sequins and a raised eyebrow. Cabaret invites artists to speak directly to the room - to share something honest, political, personal, or just plain fun. Sometimes all at once."

Is it Your Time to Shine? 

Those who have moved beyond the ‘cabaret curious’ and into the ‘cab-is-fab’ arena will likely already know these sentiments well and be familiar with the delightful creative centre the cabaret festival fosters. The festival always brings together a delicious Venn diagram of artists and collaborators in what feels like a grown up’s glitter-filled playground.  

This year’s festival is set to embrace this even further with the addition of Scratch Night – a one-night-only experience on 10 June that Immink and the Auckland Live team have established for creatives keen to join in and try it out for themselves. 

“Scratch Night is a great way for artists to experiment with a new idea to test if something will land in front of a supportive audience. Auckland Live’s Cabaret Festival has always had a place for developing new ideas with Aotearoa artists, as well as presenting world premieres and international acts,” Immink explains.

“This year, we wanted to embrace the works in progress, the skits still being written – and provide a space for this as part of the wider festival, with five to 15-minute slots."

Any artist is welcome to sign up for Scratch Night. Immink notes, “As Cole Porter once said, ‘Anything Goes.’ Scratch Night will be for cabaret, musical theatre, drag, circus, burlesque, comedy, magic - and everything in between.”

For those interested, there is an expression of interest form on the Auckland Live website where you can propose your idea. It’s an extraordinary chance to get to perform at one of Tāmaki Makaurau’s most iconic venues - and to push your creative concepts out into the spotlight.

For those not quite ready to test drive a new project, there are other ways to add your voice to the fray. The Piano Bar - “a late-night, secret karaoke spot hosted each night by a range of Aotearoa artists and led by uber-talented pianists,” Immink entices - gives anyone the platform to belt out their favourite show tunes in style. 

Stars of the show

Of course, simply attending is always a solid option - another way to spark dreams of your own future cabaret offering.

Performers Sharvon Mortimer and Oli Mathiesen did exactly this. Their new show Night and Mortar - which is part of the line up this year - was inspired by Hannah Tasker-Poland’s The Most Naked from a previous festival. Described as a film noir contemporary dance work for a cabaret environment, it also comes with a wonderful full-circle moment - Tasker-Poland performs in the show.

The festival provides a great chance for creatives to explore The Civic as a venue.  From tarot readers, to roaming hosts, surprise Midnight Moments at the stroke of 12, and secret champagne bars - the building is an exciting hub, all yours to investigate.

If you are particularly interested in The Civic itself (and let’s be honest, who in the industry hasn’t had their eye caught at some stage by this incredible theatre?), you might like to check out Georgia Lines: Under the Stars with Friends, which Immink declares is a “unique event that can only happen in The Civic under the starry night sky”, and directly responds to the architecture of the building. 

Another festival highlight sees the highly regarded Rutene Spooner’s The Velvet Rebels, a brand-new work commissioned by Auckland Live and a show with its own special personal ties to The Civic.  

“Rutene wanted to find a way to connect more deeply with kaumatua in his life and found a shared language in the music of the Rat Pack era. Many kaumatua have their own stories of nights out in the Wintergarden, and I hope this show invites them back to The Civic – to remember, reconnect, and celebrate.”         
 

A history of glamour

The Civic has a long history with cabaret, including its late-night Wintergarden performances during World War II.  The grandeur of the space and its history really adds something special to the festival and gives artists and audiences alike a unique opportunity to really explore and revel in the venue, and in cabaret itself. 

“People should feel invited into a different world – one with artists taking over The Civic and with mysteries around each corner,” says Immink.

The festival has been a special one for Immink to organise.

“It feels like all the roads I’ve taken so far have led here – from starting out as a production assistant on international tours of Singin’ in the Rain and Cats at The Civic 10 years ago, to programming the iconic Fringe Club at Adelaide Fringe, to supporting new work by Aotearoa artists. 

“I’m genuinely grateful to be collaborating with the Auckland Live team on a festival that holds so much love and legacy across Aotearoa.”

Whether it’s testing out new waters as an audience member or as an artist - the Cabaret Festival is fast becoming an open invitation for imagination and creativity.

This article was created in partnership with Auckland Live, part of Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, The Auckland Live Cabaret Festival runs 3-15 June.

WIN TICKETS! 

The Big Idea has a double pass to give away to heart-pounding, supernatural pop concert Monster Songs on Saturday 7 or Sunday 8 June. Email competitions@thebigidea.co.nz to be in the draw. Winners will be notified via email by Wednesday 4 June.