When the world is going to shit we all need to put our Hans up and party like it’s 1939. But without the war. And with pop music. And actually set in 2017/18.
Hans is the creation of Adelaide performer Matt Gilbertson, and was originally conceived as part of the show Berlin Cabaret, the mother ship show at faux-German venue The Weimar Room, in 2003.
We started flirting with Matt/Hans in 2016. Our plan was simple: we turn on our irresistible charm, he falls madly in love with us, and we then demand that he serenade us daily with Madonna’s greatest hits and other pop favourites.
So far we’ve had hi
m singing Erotica with Barry, and include a wink to Sam Fox’s Touch Me as part of his guest set at Joe’s NYC Bar. We’ve also managed to convinced him that we’re the best placed live arts producers to help him in his bid for world domination.
So yeah, it’s going well.
About the show…
In a world of political and social turmoil, only Berlin boy wonder, Hans can lead the revolution in this all-singing, all-tap dancing, accordion-pumping extravaganza.
Boozier than Oktoberfest, more drive than a Volkswagen and with more sausage than a bratwurst convention, the hilarious Hans comes armed with his squeezebox, hotpants, and razor-sharp wit, to save the day with a swag of pop hits (Madonna, Julie Andrews, Kurt Weill, Wham… ).
Complete with a live band, it’s a Kylie Minogue-style spectacular on a Dannii Minogue budget. Mein Camp will indeed have you partying like its 1939!
WINNER: Best Cabaret, Adelaide Fringe Weekly Awards 2016 & 2017
WINNER: ‘Best Variety/Cabaret Performance’, Scottish Sun Fringe Gongs 2017
Hans at the Edinburgh Fringe
As you can probably imagine, Hans seduced men left, right and centre at the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2017 and Mein Camp notched up two 5-star reviews, as well as being named Best Cabaret Performance at the Scottish Sun Fringe Gongs.
We’re currently working with Matt to programme a tour in early 2018 and bring Hans back to the Edinburgh Fringe. So watch this space and keep your sauerkraut at the ready, UK audiences!
A bit about Matt…
Matt has performed for many years, but in South Australia he’s perhaps best known as celebrity gossip reporter for Nova 919. During his time at Nova, he interviewed some of the world’s biggest stars, including Nicole Kidman, Fergie, and Pink, and covered A-list red carpet events, like the Logie Awards, MTV Awards, and numerous Aria Awards.
In 2008, he achieved a world record for continuous accordion playing, squeezing out almost 30 consecutive hours of Madonna tunes without a break. This record remains unbeaten.
His German alter ego, Hans, has starred in three sold out cabaret shows at the Adelaide Fringe Festival. ‘The Showpony Tour’ in 08; ‘Accordion Boys Do It Better’ in 09, which was nominated for a Best Cabaret award in the 2009 Adelaide Fringe Awards; and ‘The Hans Seduction’ in 2010.
In 2017 we unleashed him on Edinburgh and he did so well we’re already planning his next accordion-fuelled assault. He’s got pins to give Heidi Klum a run for her money, and he’s not afraid to use them, so lock your sons up, Edinburgers – Hans will be back!
Find our more at hansofficial.com.
Finally, a quick note to say thank you to Arts South Australia and the Government of South Australia for supporting Matt in taking Hans: Mein Camp to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2017, as part of the Made in Adelaide programme.
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