Life is a cabaret for Sutherland Shire resident Wayne Scott Kermond.
Wayne is a fourth generation performer and to celebrate his rich theatrical heritage he is starring this summer in Spiegel’esque, a show which he describes as a “mish-mash of variety, cabaret, circus, tap dancing, comedy, trapeze and song” with nine performers and a piano player.
It will be performed in the historic Spiegel Zelt, a 97-year-old wooden transportable theatre described as an art nouveau “Tent of Mirrors” with chandeliers, velvet canopies, mirrored pillars and romantic seating booths.
“It is an experience as soon as you walk in,” said Wayne who plays the role of the Master of Ceremonies in Spiegel’esque.
“She is a beautiful tent and has been through an amazing journey herself. If the walls could talk. She was hidden from the Germans during the war. Marlene Dietrich performed here.
“The show is based around the history of the tent and what it would have been like to do a show in it in the 1920s and 1930s. It is a history of the tent and a history of my family as performers.
“I’m a fourth generation performer. My family performed at the Tivoli Theatre. This family tradition taught me singing, dancing, tap-dancing, acrobatics and slapstick comedy.”
The Kermond family, who live at Woronora, are the creative force behind the show.
“My wife Katie is the choreographer and co-producer of the show,” Wayne said. “I’m playing the lead and our son Alexander, known as Zan, is in the ensemble. He’s a pretty good tap dancer.”
Wayne started in theatre at age 11 when he was cast as a tap dancer in the stage show Gypsy.
Since then he has performed many major shows including Westside Story, Guys and Dolls, A Chorus Line, Chicago and Singin’ in the Rain.
He performed in the show Hot Shoe Shuffle along with his son Zan and also conceived and starred in the Australian musical comedy Jive Junkys.
And the Kermond 3 Gen Show featuring grandfather Warren, Wayne and Zan has toured Australia.
Wayne said he has assembled the best cabaret artists around including Peta Anderson, Angelique Brown, Dylan Mahoney, Sammy Jo Risteski, Chris Talbert, Kate Wilson and Ebony Wright.
And of the star of the show is the Spiegel Zelt itself, described as the ultimate cabaret venue.
“There is no other show like Spiegel’esque,” Wayne said.
“It cabaret but not as you know it.”
Spiegel’esque is at the Italian Forum Piazza, 23 Norton Street, Leichhardt from November 23.
Details are on ticketek.com.au.
