Presented by Lyttelton Circus Theatre Company
Shocking and jaw-dropping, this is an exploration of survival by any means, told through explorative circus feats
Reviewed by Rachael Vassallo
Gasworks Arts Park, Albert Park
Until 20th April, 2025
Tickets:Â https://gasworks.org.au/whats-on/berlin-burlesque/
Type: Sexual, Intense, Adult Only
If You Liked:Â The Producers, Tender, Cabaret & Circus
Lyttleton Circus brings its impressively shocking Berlin Burlesque; The Story of Hanussen to Melbourne, following a well-earned sellout season in New Zealand. Running at two-hours with one interval, Berlin Burlesque bombards its opening-night audience with intense imagery and superhuman physical skill. It is entertaining, vibrant and utterly jaw-dropping. Prepare to be blasted with a mix of erotic aerial contortion, full-frontal nudity and a story about following your dreams only to be drawn into the false promises of history’s darkest political cult. Lyttleton Circus puts on an unmissable show and deserves a stellar sellout season in Australia.
The Gasworks main stage is transformed into an asymmetrical thrust performance space paying homage to 20’s European design. This is set with an art deco chaise and various chains hang from a platform suspended in the sky on four poles. It is a very visually elaborate stage in its own right, it is also very technically advanced, with the suspended platform being on hydraulics, and is raised and lowered throughout the performance. Magically, performers appear from the sky and behind in an exciting fashion creating a fun atmosphere.
We are instantly welcomed to a titular opening number followed by a monologue by primary performer Pascal Ackermann who introduces his grandfather as Erik Jan Hanussen, a Viennese born Jewish performer who dreams of a creative life on stage. He comes from a line of singers that won’t stop with himself. Hanussen’s story is told through scripted performance mixed with impressive aerial acts. It is clear he is destined for a life of theatrical greatness but it is also eerie to realise the line did not stop with him. Firstly in his boyhood stunts, one that stood out was that he burned down a bar for the sake of attention. At every opportunity he performed before settling down by joining a circus. He travelled Europe as a showman, performing various illusionist tricks.
Later he moved towards clairvoyance, receiving a fraud charge. Illusion finds its way into the show, so does audience participation. He treated his trial as his magnum opus and was acquitted in a stellar finale. We then hear how he catapulted himself into absolute superstardom, with the first act concluding with him enviably following beyond his dreams. Hanussen’s Grandson steps down from his physical performance to tell his Grandfather’s story. Two stand-out talents are aerial twins Nele and Jola Siezen who act as contortionist cabaret whilst simultaneously using their physical skills in impressive interludes. Much praise should also be given to the accents, particularly Tom Trevella’s Viennese accent, which was indistinguishable from a native speaker.
The second act is centred on Hanussen now operating his own theatre in Berlin and the rise of Nazism in Europe. The moment of this performance that stood out to me was when Hanussen performs an occult ritual for the Nazis the night before the Reichstag was burned. As the ritual concludes, we hear the German parliament is seized, granting Hitler absolute power over Germany. Four enormous Nazi banners suddenly fall from the sky, taking over the entire space. The evil symbol is shocking, the harrowing concept of this absolute power of this dictatorship fills your emotions, which eliminates the challenge of incorporating such reviled beings into what a very vibrant show it is otherwise.
Berlin Burlesque is a show about selling your soul to those who will leave you with nothing. Hanussen was no hero, though he brought joy through performance, but he was a conman and a Nazi collaborator. He was also a fascinating figure to learn about and he was also someone’s child and father and Grandfather. Berlin Burlesque is a story of the human behind the historical oddity. Most importantly it is a night at the theatre to never forget.
Theatre Thought: How far is too far when it comes to art?
Berlin Burlesque, the story of Hanussen runs from April 2 to 26 at Gasworks Arts Park. Tickets: https://gasworks.org.au/whats-on/berlin-burlesque/
