Bay Harbour: January 17, 2024

Bay Harbour News Wednesday January 17 2024
4
NEWS
Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Circus troupe reunites for Berlin Burlesque
• Tickets
cost
$40-60
and are
available
at laf.co.nz
• By Dylan Smits
A CIRCUS theatre company has
reunited for the first time since
the earthquakes to deliver an
ambitious showcase of talent.
Running from tonight until
February 10, the Lyttelton Circus
Theatre company presents Berlin
Burlesque – The Story of Hanussen.
“It’s a very exciting show and
it’s got a bit of everything,” said
cast member Skye Broberg.
The production is a rework
of the company’s previous tour.
It fuses theatre and circus in
a dreamy imagining of 1930s
Berlin.
The company was formerly
known as ‘The Loons’ for the
well-known working men’s club
where they rehearsed and performed
in Lyttelton.
The venue was damaged
beyond repair in the June 2011
earthquake.
“Everything was put on hold,
and people went their separate
ways as time went on,” said
Broberg.
In August last year, company
director Mike Friend put a
call out to performers, asking
them to take part in a new
production at the Lyttelton Arts
Factory.
Friend is the artistic director
of the arts factory, which opened
next to Lyttelton Primary School
in 2016 as the direct successor to
The Loons venue.
The performers answered the
call and reassembled, with members
returning to Christchurch
from across New Zealand and
overseas.
Sophie Easton, the production’s
lead vocalist, returned
from Canada to take part. Identical
‘Twisty Twinz’ Jola and Nele
Siezen also came back.
Said Broberg: “lt was wonderful
to see everyone and be back
together. It was surreal being
back together in the same room.
It was almost like no time had
passed.”
The company promises a
“dynamic aerial set, mesmerising
circus acts, seductive performances,
and a live band”.
The cast includes actors and
performers Nele and Jola Siezen,
Pascal Ackermann, David Ladderman
and Tom Trevella.
“We’ve all really grown in
skills and experience since the
last time. We all have a lot more
to offer now,” said Broberg.
Based on a true story, the
production tells the tale of Erik
Jan Hanussen, a mentalist and
variety theatre owner in Weimar
and later Nazi Germany.
Despite his Jewish heritage, he
had instructed Hitler in performance
and the art of dramatic
effect.
Hanussen claimed to be a
prophet, but blinded by his own
success, he could not foresee his
own demise.
Swastikas and other Nazi
symbols will be part of
Berlin Burlesque, but
steps have been taken
to minimise any offence
they may cause. The
show is set in Germany in
the 1930s and explores
the rise of Nazism.
“It’s something that
we’re very mindful of,”
said Broberg.
The cast and crew
have been discussing the
issue, as a law banning
the Nazi salute and the
display or sale of symbols
associated with Nazism
came into effect in
Australia last week.
The offence is
punishable by up to
12 months in prison.
Exemptions exist for
academic, educational or
artistic use.
Broberg said the script
writers and set designers
have been careful to only
portray Nazi symbols
negatively.
“It is a very serious
thing, but we shouldn’t
forget and move on from
these atrocities. We need
to learn from the past.”
There is a disclaimer on
the Lyttelton Arts Factory
website, warning about
the inclusion of Nazi
symbols in the show.
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