Alan Raabe used to be a professional magician – but now he’s gathering a troupe of performers together who want to be part of a new cabaret cooperative to perform locally new year.

If you are a juggler, magician, contortionist, burlesque performer, musicians, foot juggler, pole dancer – or have any other weird and wonderful skills and tricks - then Alan calls you to join this semi-professional troupe.

Inspired by a cabaret he saw in Berlin, Alan is ready to direct and bring to life the cabaret show ‘Dr Freudelstien’.

Cooperative

Not only will it breathe life back onto the arts scene, it will give local performers paid work under a cooperative model – where everyone shares in the profits.

“The cooperative idea came from people I know in Sydney, where performers banded together to out on shows because there was so little work,” he said.

“It’s a great model because everyone – the tech crew, writers and performers are part of a profit share scheme and get work and financial reward from it.”

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Dr Freudelstien

Alan said ‘Dr Freudelstien’ is set to be a bit different to other cabaret shows.

“I didn’t want a cabaret where a compere introduces a string of acts, so in the Berlin cabaret style, we’ve put together a story line.

“The line ‘Dr Freudelstien will see you shortly’ is a link to the story, set in a ficticious asylum, where lady visitor comes to see someone at the facility and meets people there – and they are all a bit warped.

“They all have little quirks and talents - which is where the ensemble of the cabaret is so important.

Variety acts

“We are having trouble getting variety acts – like the ones I saw in a real Berlin cabaret where everyone was insane. The knife thrower threw knives at people – he was someone who was taught how to turn that skill into an act.

“Now we need to find the offbeat whacky skills that people have here – and if we the cast have fun, then the audience will have fun."

Covid considerations

With Covid rules still restricting how events can take place, Alan said the set up for the cabaret show is already planned.

“Because the show is set in a canteen in an asylum, it makes it easy for us to book local halls and venues and have people book a table and still all be separated,” he said.

Rehearsals

Rehearsals begin in January 2021 and the show will (hopefully) be performing by the end of March, beginning of April, 2021.

Apply

If you are interested in joining the cooperative, apply by sending a brief resume and contact details to Alan Raabe by email [email protected] or phone 0427038185.