LITTLE DEATH CLUB

“Welcome to the darkest, funniest and most debauched kabarett club this side of Berlin”

A review by Tanya Howard

Following a smash-hit run at the Edinburgh Fringe, über-award-winning kabarett superstar Bernie Dieter and her travelling family of misfits, miscreants and fantastic freaks are back for an unmissable night in the Spiegeltent at London Southbank Underbelly Festival.

Little Death Club is where debauchery meets bold and euphoric sexuality, with a large side dish of entertainment. This family of nonconformists are sticking a large middle finger up at the prejudice and narrow-minded thinking of the present day.

From the moment Bernie takes the stage she commands the room with a playful but strong stage presence and a wicked sense of humour. Unfolding like a traditional cabaret with circus acts, singing, drag, a whole lot of comedy and, warning for the more innocent, a bit of nudity to boot, this show feels anything but old fashioned and conventional.

Aerialist Fanny Chance was one of the stand out performers for me, suspended from the stage by her hair (yes, you’ve read that right) she flies over the audience in fluttering white robes before undressing, still suspended, and continuing her act in her birthday suit.

Downhearted mime Josh Glanc, Le Mime Tipi, had the whole crowd in hysterics with his bitter, over the mime life act, and contortionist Beau Sargent had everyone grimacing as well as cheering when he masterfully twisted himself into shapes that don’t seem possible.

At first, I wasn’t sure on fire breathing Kitty Bang Bang who seemed to just be repeating the same move, that was until she took her top off and set fire to her nipple rings. She continued her performance on fire and you really can’t knock a girl willing to do that.

There are no rules at Little Death Club and it’s refreshing to see people expressing themselves and having uncensored fun without it being shut down by the powers that be. I would definitely recommend the show as well as having a few drinks before the performance, the performers aren’t entirely sober so why should the audience be.