From the musical heritage of The Sound of Music (one border removed) comes a glittering, shimmying spectacle named Hans. Garbed in lederhosen, leotards, and leopard print, the German diva remixes some pop favourites with a polka twist for a night full of laughter and cheer.
Welcoming the audience with an unexpected backdoor entrance, Hans introduced himself with an enthusiastic opening number that established the production as a showcase of both his musical talents and his supporting band, the Ungrateful Bastards. His performative personality quickly spilled over into audience interactions where Hans was witty, charming, and sharp with playful banter. Laughs came fast and heavy throughout the evening with the performer and audience rapport between some good-sport attendees and Hans’s provocative attention. Of particular luck was a pair of twins chosen to face-off in a raunchy dance battle as Hans look-alikes.
As a cabaret structure, the production included a huge range of pop classics rewritten with narcissistic puns or to celebrate the piano accordion. Unusually, Hans included some Australian rock classics including “Treaty” by Yothu Yindi, “Last Train Out of Sydney” by Cold Chisel, and “Beds Are Burning” by Midnight Oil in a very unique Australiana tribute mash-up. Integrated into the songs was a demonstration of Hans’s keyboard skills and a much-appreciated tap solo.
Hans pulls all the tricks out of the bag to keep the audience laughing for the full hour even covering costume changes with sketch video recordings and a replay of his America’s Got Talent audition from 2018 to make sure not a minute of stage time is wasted. Hans: Like a German is a sleek, shimmering, substantial production with the talent and charm of a star performer; an excellent, laugh-out-loud evening.
Hans: Like a German is running at Eternity Playhouse from December 4th – 6th before touring New South Wales until December 8th. For more information and to get tickets, please check Hans’s website.
Night Writes 