Bernie Dieter: the power of live performance and cabaret to tackle today's most pressing topics

Edinburgh veteran and global cabaret performer Bernie Dieter sat down with us to chat about the connective power of live performance, cabaret as a vehicle for social commentary, her Club Kabarett show and the powerful family history that underpins her approach to art.

Dieter’s strong vocals and MC stylings have filled spiegeltents worldwide with her punked-up brand of variety show, overflowing with satire, sensuality and a searing social message. These shows are fiercely inclusive; with timely nods to the Weimar-era roots of cabaret, Dieter uses the dark seats of her auditorium as a welcoming middle ground in an increasingly polar 21st-century discursive landscape.

Powerful emotions are balanced against stunts and silliness – at a Bernie Dieter show, “Everything’s on the table”.

  / berniedieter  

This interview was filmed at W Hotel Edinburgh.

00:00 First Fringe in 2012
02:02 Performing in a Spiegeltent
02:37 Finding talent for Club Cabaret
04:41 Developing the show
06:45 Cabaret to tackle pressing topics
11:10 Looking after yourself at the Fringe
12:21 Why perform at the Fringe
14:54 International team
15:44 Weimar punk in the show
17:06 Advice to artists
18:17 Fringe community
18:54 Advice to Fringe-goers
20:02 Quickfire Q&A

#edfringe2025 #daretodiscover #interview #performingarts #cabaret #theatre

During Fringe 2025, we met and had a chat with a few Fringe artists to get their insights into their creative process, live performance and the transformative power of the Fringe. With them, we've discussed what drives their artistic choices, how they shape their work and they shared with us their views and thoughts on the Edinburgh Fringe.