Hans - The Warwick Capper of Cabaret
Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 4:25PM
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This lederhosen clad entertainer has carved a niche for himself as an exponent of, and commentator on, Adelaide’s entertainment scene. As Hans, the Warwick Capper of cabaret, this enfant terrible made his mark performing in night spots such as The Weimar Room and Boho before scoring a regular place on a prominent breakfast radio show. Since leaving radio, Hans’ alter-ego Matt Gilbertson has taken on the role of entertainment and celebrity columnist at the Sunday Mail newspaper.
Gilbertson’s Adelaide Fringe 2010 show, The Hans Seduction, at the Mars Bar on Gouger Street opens Thursday March 4.
I first met Hans at a performance of Berlin Cabaret in what used to be the Weimar Room nightclub in Hindley St. Was the character Hans born out of that show?
Hans was definitely born out of Berlin Cabaret. Prior to that, I was just playing accordion in Rundle Mall. I met the wonderful Catherine Campbell one day when I was busking in the Market and she said “You should come and play at Weimar Room.” My first thought was that the Weimar Room was a German Club for the over 80’s but I soon discovered the exciting world that existed downstairs in that venue.
[Working within a shoestring budget, proprietors Torsten Meyer and Jacqueline Frajer transformed an old pinball and video game complex into their version of a Berlin Cabaret Room circa 1920-1930. It was the birthplace of a cult German political cabaret revue known as Berlin Cabaret which served as a training ground and launch pad for a number of cabaret artists and actors.]
How long have you been playing the accordion? Did you take lessons or was it something you picked up and taught yourself?
I taught myself to play accordion by busking. I finished school in 2002, and then had huge gap between finishing school and starting uni. My piano teacher at the time had been moving house and had a number of accordions to get rid of. So I thought, “That’s what I’ll do in my holidays - teach myself accordion and go busking”. So I learnt to play a few Abba songs and just made the rest up as I went along.
Hans is quite an outrageous character. Is there anything or anyone that Hans wouldn’t do?
I don’t think so. Hans has proved that in the past. As Hans I earned a world record playing Madonna songs on the accordion for 30 hours straight. A feat which hasn’t been beat!
You studied at Marryatville High, well known for its alumni of orchestral musicians. What did you learn in that fairly traditional musical environment that helped as you began developing your own less traditional performance career?
The thing I like about cabaret is there are no rules, it can be exactly what you want. However, performance and musicality-wise; you need to know the rules before you can break them.
The experiences I had at Marryatville were so valuable to my cabaret life. I think a strong upbringing, particularly a classical training, is very important to any artistic endeavour.
How much of Matt is Hans? Are there things that you can say and do as Hans that you wouldn’t get away with as Matt? Or are you the same person but just in tighter shorts?
Well there have been times where the line has become very fine. I’m not an actor, so there is a lot of me in Hans. But these days I am much more aware of keeping the two separate. When I was working at Nova, I had to be Hans every day, so it did get a little confusing sometimes.
Now that I’m not playing Hans all the time, I actually appreciate him more.
What was the first cabaret performance you can recall seeing? What affect did it have on you?
I think probably the first cabaret performance I saw was my first night at Weimar Room - look how that turned out!
Tell me about the rest of the cast in The Hans Seduction - your band and the ‘Lucky Bitches’.
Well the band are called The Ungrateful Bastards, and that’s exactly what they are. As for the Lucky Bitches, they are a father’s nightmare, but an uncle’s dream.
Do you devise the whole show yourself, script, choreography and arrangements or does Hans have an entourage that assist with those details?
Unfortunately Hans can’t afford an entourage. We basically work everything out in my lounge room with the dancers and band the band separately. Then we put the whole thing together a few weeks before the show. As for the script, I have little cues that I have in my head, but I like to see where the night takes me. Each show is different
THE HANS SEDUCTION
Venue: The Mars Bar
6, 13 March @ 7.30pm, 4-5, 11-12 March @ 8pm
Adult $25/Group $20
Book at FringeTIX (1300-FRINGE) or click here.
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Other cabaret shows featured in Adelaide Fringe 2010:
Women - is your orgasm all in HIS mind?
Everybody’s Got Something to Hide (Except for Melissa, Mark and Libby)
Ali McGregor in ‘Jazz Cigarette’
Grocery Girls Gone Wild OR Lock Up Your Porters
Nikki Aitken Presents - Cabaret Live and Kicking
Isabel Hertaeg - Dangerous Dinner Party Guest
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