Tag Archives: Weimar Berlin

Color experiments and Weimar Glamour with Kabarett der Namenlosen.

Le Pustra and Mama Ulita at Dr Sketchys Berlin by Suzanne Forbes Jan 15 2020I found a bunch of unfinished drawings from a Kabarett der Namenlosen session of Dr. Sketchy’s Berlin!

Work in progress Suzanne Forbes drawing of Le Pustra and Mama Ulita 2019I was shocked to find these drawings, hiding in a sketchbook I thought contained nothing of importance. (I also found an unfinished unterwegs that I genuinely don’t remember drawing!)

As you can see to left, the drawing of Le Pustra and Mama Ulita was mostly finished. The others were more scribbly, just pencil. But now that I have actually seen the live performance of the Kabarett, I felt I should try finishing them up.

Why had I abandoned them?Le Pustra at Dr Sketchys Berlin by Suzanne Forbes Jan 15 2020

Mama Ulita at Dr Sketchys Berlin by Suzanne Forbes Jan 15 2020 back viewWas it frustration that I can never really capture the wild glamour of these performers, in their soft silk robes and stockings, with their immaculate white tie and tails?

I feel terrible frustration trying to convey exactly how it feels to see Mama Ulita perform. When she whips off her bob wig to reveal her own seal-slick black cap of hair, the audience gasps. I honestly want to be David Downton, at moments like that. This drawing doesn’t have a fraction of her elegance.

But it is a valid attempt, and it was worth finishing to see where it went, so I don’t know why that didn’t happen. Maybe these drawings just overtaken by events, as they say in the military? It’s been a tough year or two, healthwise.

I’m working hard to figure out how to add color to my drawings, but I am still so unsure. I used markers, pastels and a water reservoir brush to add color to several of them. Color is such an important part of the visual design of the Kabarett, with bright wigs by Nina Budden Hair and pale ostrich boas. I don’t really know how to convey these soft vintage shades alongside the graphic black and white tuxedoes.

I am committed to the process of making color an integral part of my live drawing, and it’s tough!

Mama Ulita at Dr Sketchys Berlin by Suzanne Forbes Jan 15 2020Sometimes hints of color, little accents, are best.

Sometimes I try to do more and don’t feel I succeeded. The trouble is, even terrific photographers can’t capture everything the eye sees at a show like this. There are a thousand moments, each so beautiful, and I can’t show you them all.Le Pustra and Dekolars at Dr Sketchys Berlin by Suzanne Forbes Jan 15 2020

Still, I do my best, and I hope you enjoy this tender moment with Le Pustra and Lars Schwuchow, above.

I am so grateful to my Patrons on Patreon, who make it possible for me to document Berlin’s queer intersectional performance scene and release the artwork free to all.

Kabarett der Namenlosen!

Bridge Markland in slip at Kabarett der Namenlosen November 17 2019 by Suzanne ForbesI made it to Kabarett der Namenlosen!

The show is a time-travelling fever dream of Once Upon a TIme Queer Berlin. I was so excited to draw Bridge Markland, above, again!! Bridge is a barn-burner of a performer, a terror and a treasure.

Lars and Mlle Vicky Butterfly dancing at Kabarett der Namenlosen November 17 2019 by Suzanne ForbesThe pre-show experience began with Lars and lovely Mlle. Vicky Butterfly dancing before the Ballhaus Berlin stage, shrouded in fog.

Lars at Kabarett der Namenlosen November 17 2019 by Suzanne ForbesI warmed up with this profile of Lars Schwuchow, then the loose marker drawing above.

Lars is a serious Art Deco guy, and he has an Arrow shirt ad elegance I always want to capture, but I didn’t quite get it this time.

I had drawn several of tonight’s performers before, at Dr. Sketchy’s Berlin sessions; you can see Lars, Mama Ulita and Le Pustra here and here, and Bridge Markland as Anita Berber here.

The costumes and sets, by Le Pustra, are simply unbelievable, and everyone has such a unique look. I knew I would be spoilt for choice!!

Charly Voodoo and Shir-Ran Yinon at Kabarett der Namenlosen November 17 2019 by Suzanne ForbesMy jaw fell off my face when I saw Charly Voodoo walk onstage.

As a corset-lover (some might say hardcore corset fetishist!) I am always thrilled when I see someone seriously corseted. Charly Voodoo‘s whole look was incredible, with a lace head mask, high heels and stockings. He is absolutely beautiful (as is his husband Pierre-Louis, a dancer and plant-lover who revealed so much more! Sadly, I did not have a chance to draw Pierre-Louis!)

Charly’s corset is by Maxim Blotin, a young corsetmaker in Paris. It looked like satin coutil to me but apparently is made of something called leather satin! It is either corded or quilted, with gores, and a near-pipestem cut. I did not draw the details accurately, which pains me, but I think I got the shaping right. His mask, by Kevin Jacotot, was a thrilling challenge. I was so excited I really couldn’t even see straight.

Next to Charly above, singer and violinist Shir-Ran Yinon, woman of exquisite profile and fabulous pipes.

Charly Voodoo playing piano at Kabarett der Namenlosen November 17 2019 by Suzanne ForbesAnd then Charly Voodoo started to play the piano!!

Amazingly!! He is FAB. And then, I got a special ringside seat for a spectacular vignette involving Julietta la Doll, one telephone, two glasses of water and no pants!! But I can’t share anything about that on this family-friendly blog, so here’s another drawing of Bridge Markland!

Bridge Markland at Kabarett der Namenlosen November 17 2019 by Suzanne ForbesYou can find out what wild theater and performance Bridge is up to right here, if you’re not too afraid of her wild soul!

Her staging of an 1890s “German screwball comedy” with puppets is coming up Nov. 29- Dec. 1, at another beautiful Berlin venue, the Theater im Delphi.

Legendary Berlin performing artist ReverRso, who unrolled a strip of cutwork cotton from his mouth as he danced in a lace dress, then blindfolded himself.

Le Pustra at Kabarett der Namenlosen November 17 2019 by Suzanne ForbesThat is producer and torch song singer Le Pustra above, limned in glitter.

Wigs for the show are done by hair artist Nina Butkovich-Budden. They are devastating, characters in their own right. The suberb stage managing is by Lady White Rabbit, who I hadn’t seen in ages – she took very good care of me! I can’t imagine this immersive, improvisational show anywhere but at the historic and louche Ballhaus Berlin. This theater is a treasure, and I hope it will be preserved as a venue for some time.

Speaking of which, I gotta get to Clärchens Ballhaus before they shut it down. Should I draw tango or swing?

As always, I’m incredibly grateful to my Patrons on Patreon. I couldn’t show up and tell these folx’ stories without the monthly financial support of my Patrons, especially as my health has declined this year. The subway was inexplicably just not working when I left Ballhaus tonight, and the fact that I could hail a taxi to go home means so much. I might otherwise have spent hours figuring out a sequence of trams, buses and trains to get home – I have before, and it’s brutal on my body and on my psyche.

I will be increasingly asking for disability accommodations at venues, as I simply can’t move, stand, or do the things I once could.

Le Pustra was kind enough to let me in the theater early to find a seat that was comfortable for me. Pure luck that I picked the one where Julietta was going to be making a very naughty phone call – my luck, that is! I was also very grateful to both Mayliss – stage manager Lady White Rabbit – and Julietta la Doll for warning me about the water in Julietta’s performance and making sure my art wasn’t damaged!