The Blue Hour: Cabaret Secrets from Weimar Berlin

Described by The Guardian as “magic of the highest order… absolute sorcery” after their sold-out debut at Crazy Coqs, The Blue Hour returns with another delicious dive into the subversive, sexy, provocative world of Berlin cabaret.

In 1930, two young musical revolutionaries burst onto the Berlin music scene with their satirical opera, The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny. It was a smash, capturing the febrile essence of the fragile Weimar Republic. The collaboration between Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht heralded a creative golden age at a time of impending darkness, when artists in underground nightclubs dissected the political maelstrom in the streets above.

The Blue Hour reimagines their legacy in bold, contemporary colours, along with decadent masterpieces of the era, including ‘Surabaya Johnny’ and Marlene’s huge hit, ‘Falling in Love Again’, all arranged by award-winning composer Tim Sutton.

Between them, Sarah Gabriel (vocals), Tim Sutton (piano and arrangements), and Beth Higham-Edwards (percussion), with guest artist Sarah Field (saxophones, trumpet), have performed at the National Theatre, RSC, Young Vic, Shakespeare’s Globe, Sadler’s Wells, Southbank Centre, Théâtre du Châtelet, Wigmore Hall, Cheltenham Festival, and with groups and artists including Rambert Dance Company, Sting, Seal, Elbow, and The Divine Comedy.

“The Blue Hour at Crazy Coqs “just about undid me… magic of the highest order… absolute sorcery”– The Guardian

“Sarah Gabriel: as fine an actor as she is a singer” – Le Monde

“The springwater vocals of Sarah Gabriel” – The Guardian

“In Sarah Field’s hands, the alto saxophone has a dozen different voices. It catches your heart every time.” – The Evening Standard