This is a foxy little piece of theatre that combines comedy, music and history in one compelling narrative. Halbwelt Kultur (German for "half world culture"), describes itself as "A ground-breaking feminist musical, set in 1930's Berlin which conjures, recreates and pays homage to seven legendary women from the intriguing, tantalising and scandalous Weimar Republic."
Halbwelt Kultur began life as a one woman show performed by its producer and leading lady, Stephanie Hampton, at the Churchill Theatre, Bromley in August 2012. She has been producing and performing it ever since and the show now has an all-female cast of seven women who perform feminist musical cabaret set in 1920's and 30's Berlin. The musical is devised by the company and is accompanied by a live band, playing music from the period.
I am often called upon to try and define the boundaries between musical theatre and comedy and there is no reason why one cannot be a part of the other. With Halbwelt Kultur there is some brilliant comedic moments combined with a musical wistfulness while the cast dance and sing their way through with a gay abandon that was so evocative of the times. It’s a shame that it’s taken over 50 years for the long lost performers they are representing to gain the recognition they deserved.
There is a touch of the Sally Bowles about the whole show but there’s floaty lingerie instead of fearsome corsets, false eyelashes and a bowler hats. This is a softer, more well-rounded feminist story and does not try to titillate but educate us about these stars of yesteryear who flaunted their sexuality in the face of war time terror. Their sexual proclivities are not hidden and are an intrinsic part of the story and you leave in the knowledge that these women lived and loved well before their time.
Check out the trailer HERE but, better still get along to the lovely cosy Jermyn Street Theatre, just off London’s West End and see the show for yourself. It runs until Sunday 15th December and is a fitting early Christmas gift for the person who has (or thinks he/she has seen) everything!
For more information and to book tickets, click HERE. To find out more about the story behind Halbwelt Kultur click HERE.
Lynne Parker
