Robyn Archer – Dancing on the Volcano

Robyn Archer’s love affair with Adelaide continues as she premieres her latest show Dancing on the Volcano, which is a name adopted for a period where cabaret had a rebirth in Germany between 1919 and 1933.

Out of a time of rebellion and political upheaval between the two great world wars came the need for social commentary through poetry and music. Weimar Republic cultural innovation produced poets and composers alike, none more synonymous with this period than Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Their collaborations highlighted the need for humour during these dark times, instigating many protests from the right wing Nazi movement.

Teaming up with Michael Morley on piano and George Butrumlis on accordion, Archer translates this unsettling time with a lesson in German history through the words and music of composers such as Hanns Eisler, Friedrich Hollaender, Kurt Tucholsky, Henrich Heine and of course the successful duo of Brecht and Weill (Three Penny Opera).

With her trademark wit she adds a touch of authenticity to dirty ditties and a sentimentality to ballads with dark undertones. Her interpretation of Marlene Dietrich’s famous ‘Der Blaue Engel’ from the 1930s movie The Blue Angel is inspired.

Archer’s passion for this era is evident as she weaves tales through the music and explains the back stories to songs. Many composers from this time were forced to flee as political upheaval in the form of Nazism rained upon the nation. Many crossed borders to France and other nations to escape persecution.

Archer has given this period a voice and the audience at the show I attended were appreciative for the narrative and musicality of a time many choose to forget.

Kerry Cooper