Paul Corderio Photo by Marcus Mok
From warehouse apartments to café-church performance venues and inner city bars, Arthaus, the brainchild of dancer/choreographer Paul Cordeiro, is making the leap into a traditional theatre space at the Parramatta Riverside this Saturday night. Cordeiro tells Ruby TV about it.
Singapore born, WAAPA trained Paul Cordeiro (Diploma of Dance) has a high end run of credits including dancing with renowned contemporary dance company One Extra, touring nationally with major musicals such as West Side Story and The King and I and choreographic work with Stephan Page, Opera Australia and flamenco master Antonio Vargas. Cordeiro’s own work has appeared at the Studio Theatre at the Opera House and at Bevoir St Theatre. He also assistant choreographed the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics. So a night of variety and audience-performer melding is just another string to his flexible bow.
“The concept of Arthaus began here in Sydney and cemented in Berlin,” says Cordeiro on a quick break from production duties. “I discovered the shabby, faded glory of once flourishing ballrooms in Berlin that were restaurants by day with white table cloths, wine and pasta and transformed by night with shimmering silver streamer curtains, dim lights and Tango !… and a Hall in the heart of Kreuzberg- a German/Turkish ethno melding with a bohemian cluster, a queer demographic and a mix of artists who have visited the same cafe and bar strip for thirty years.”
He fell upon “Cafe Fatal!” a queer night beginning with same sex partner dancing (Fox Trots, Quick Step and Waltzes) and finishing early into the morning with the DJs spinning, Madonna, Black Eyed Peas, German Schlagger Music and even Nirvana. “The lights are never too low so you can see the smiles and conversations and can ask people to dance or be asked,” Codeiro says, shiny eyed. “In the midst of all this, the show is introduced and it’s a magician this week, but last week was the all girl rock band, and then the Vaudeville juggler the next week… the lights are on and everyone is dancing, dancing, dancing!
“You’d pop out for a break in the summer night and grab yourself a slice from the Turkish Lesbian Pizza joint, then come back in for a beer or apple juice!”… and more dancing.
Cafe Fatal reminded Cordeiro of another favourite night back in Sydney in the 90s. ‘The Tender Trap’ in the heart of King’s Cross was a fabulous, fun and refreshing Sunday night festivity with a sophisticated but wild crowd who loved to dress up, see shows, socialise and dance. “We would arrive in sixties get up, halter necks, blue eye shadow, polyester shirts, and hipsters and dance the night away to the Fifth Dimension, surf songs, Neil Diamond and Motown classics.”
Another influence for Codeiro has been Finucane & Smith (Moira Finucane & Jackie Smith) famous for their festival favourite show “The Burlesque Hour.” Codeiro believes working with them has opened his eyes to “look at theatre as a whole.”
And so from Sydney to Berlin and some stops beween, Arthaus was born. “It’s about having an evening that encompassed performing artists and a place to mingle, integrate, forge alliances and “Do your Thing,” explains Codeiro.
“I have wonderful professional and emerging artists give their time to Arthaus. Performances are theatrical and quirky or just simply amazing. There are a variety of acts but it is not a variety show- more a mixed program and showcase.” Who are the guests for the 12th? It’s partly a mystery, but the the artists include the Ben Palumbo Ensemble, Contemporary Dance Bash, Jazmin Baret & Monsieur P, DJ A.S.K and of course Paul Cordeiro.
As for the ambiance, “it’s warm. We aim to entertain, engage challenge and invite the audience to have an experience with us… I love the idea of the evening leading into having the audience dancing with all of us. That is what Arthaus is!”
Arhaus is on 12th March from 7:30 – 11:30 at Parramatta Riverside Theatre. Tickets are $30/$25 and can purchased at the door, on 8839 3399 or here.
