Berlin Burlesque [2025] : The Story of Hanussen
Returning for January / February 2025 this effervescent show is going to leave you fizzing.
Set in a Berlin Club in 1920’s and present day, this innovative original production will transport you into a world of intrigue. Combining intelligent theatre, mesmerising Circo arts and virtuosic musicianship the company tells the extraordinary life story of Erik Jan Hanussen - illusionist, clairvoyant, charlatan and ... lover.
This is a great big raucous doozy of a show. It's got the lot: comedy, tragedy, circus, live music, live magic and nudity. It will make you laugh, it will make you gasp and you’ll emerge uplifted.
“Burlesque with a dose of slapstick. This show is big and warm and generous and absolutely joyous.”
Matt Bowler, Nelson Mail
“This production sparkles and fizzes....the brilliant ensemble acting, skillful circus acts and singing and dancing of the finest quality, make a performance unlike anything I have ever seen.”
Gail Tresidder, Theatreview
“Unique and diverse.... go and see it.”
Vanessa Byrnes, Theatreview
Audience 14,100 +
103 shows
10 cities throughout NZ
Cast
Chinese Pole, Aerials, Unicycle, Musician Set Design & Construction, Chief Rigger
Pascal Ackermann
A lifetime musician, Pascal completed a violin-making apprenticeship in Switzerland before moving to NZ where he completed a Diploma in Circus Arts.
Credits include ‘Free Theatre’ production ‘Alice’, World of Wearable Arts, Rhythm and Vines, Fuse Circus, World Buskers Festival, Auckland Buskers Festival, and The Butler, Oak and Happy Home Road with the LCTC. Pascal also has 2 Guinness World Records.
Musician, Musical Director
Carmel Courtney
Carmel is a well know multi-instrumentalist, teacher and singer songwriter who has toured locally and internationally, at festivals and clubs, playing a variety of styles from Jazz to Electronica, to Latin and funk.
Some projects of note have been with The Jews Bros. Band, Max Maxwell and Mamaku Project. Credits include The North Seas Jazz Festival, WOMAD (Redding), SPLORE and Roots, as well as previous incarnations of ‘Berlin Burlesque’.
Actor, Juggling, Mentalism, Equilibristics, Story Editing
David Ladderman
David is an actor, circus performer and theatre maker, and one of the founding members of the LCTC. He’s performed at dozens of festival and events all over the world, and as an actor in multiple productions with The Court, Centrepoint, Fortune and Circa Theatres as well as tutoring within the Creatives in School program.
Credits include: Macbeth, Happy Home Road, The Butler and Berlin Burlesque with LCTC, as well as touring with NZ Opera. David is co-founder of ‘Rollicking Entertainment’ and has co-created and performed in eight original shows.
Actor
Tom Trevella
Tom is an original member of the LCTC and has been acting professionally for 18 years both locally and internationally.
Credits include over 30 productions at the Court Theatre, and works with Circa, Top Dog and LAF Theatres, the Hannah Playhouse, and East Riding Theatre in the UK.
His work with the ‘LCTC’ includes; The Butler, Happy Home Road, Berlin Burlesque, Macbeth, and the development and production of his solo show ‘Stuck Up the Alley’.
Singer, Dancer, Actor, Mime
Sophie Easton
Originating from Melbourne, currently residing in Canada and with a background in Musical Theatre, Dance and Drama, Sophie has been performing all her life. She has completed a Dip. Circus Arts, and has a strong passion for incorporating healing with the performing arts.
Credits include the World Buskers Festival (NZ), Portraits: The Women Outside (Dunedin Fringe NZ), The Butler and Happy Home Road (LCTC)
Acrobatics, Aerials, Chinese Pole
Nele & Jola Siezen
Identical ‘Twisty Twinz’ Jola and Nele began their strong bond in the womb, which continues today. They have completed Diploma’s in Theatre and Performing Arts, and Circus Arts. They have travelled extensively, performing, training and teaching around the globe, working with a variety of artists and performers.
Credits include: The Butler, World Buskers Festival, Linz Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Guinness World Records Shows (Italy & NZ).
8 String Bass
Mike Fudakowski
Mikę Fudakowski is a 2nd-generation Polish war refugee with a penchant for unusual bass guitars and a fondness for trashy cinematic schlock. He shares his birthday with Aleister Crowley.
Drums, Percussion
Doug Brush
When not hitting instruments with sticks or his hands, Doug can be found travelling the world looking for new instruments to hit with sticks or his hands. He also shares a birthday with Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
Guitar
Simon Gregory
Having written and performed around New Zealand Simon Gregory is top of his game.