Come to the cabaret

MEZZO soprano Jill Sullivan and pianist Simon Kenway will perform music from the 1930s German cabaret era and a repertoire by leading songwriters and classical composers at their Lady in the Dark concert at Epsom House next weekend.

The performance next Friday (November 16) has sold out, but tickets are still available for next Saturday (November 17).

The program will include eight songs by Kurt Weill, including his best-known piece, Mack the Knife.

“In Germany he wrote quite a bit of socially and politically expressive music,” Sullivan said.

“After he moved to America his writing changed to appeal more to American tastes and to enable him to earn a living there.

“It’s much more easy-listening and less politically biting, although he still wrote songs with a purpose and a deeper level, such as Buddy on the Night Shift, which will be on the program.

“The music is very clever and quite sophisticated musically, but still accessible.

“I’ll also sing My Ship from his musical Lady in the Dark, the ironic and comic I’m a Stranger Here Myself, Foolish Heart and Youkali.”

She will also feature a set of songs about the seamier side of life.

“They are all songs about prostitution,” Sullivan said.

“Weill’s Nanna Lied is the song of an older prostitute reflecting on her life.

“Porter’s Love for Sale is sung by an old madam, and Streets of Berlin or Greta’s Song by Philip Glass talks about male prostitution.

“Another gritty song from the Berlin era is I am a Vamp, by Mischa Spolianski.”

The program will also include Hotel by Poulenc, Habanera by Georges Bizet, Die Mainacht by Brahms, songs by Gershwin and more.

The Lady in the Dark concert is at Epsom House at 7.30pm next Saturday (November 17). Tickets are $77 and include a pre-concert glass of champagne with hors d’oeuvres and interval dessert with coffee or tea. For bookings email info@epsomhouse.com or phone 6268 0290.