Property partner: Scruffy Bunny

Readings Cinemas Courtenay Central

19 – 22 September 2017 8pm, 23 September 3pm

Tickets: https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2017/retail-cabaret/wellington

Images: Gabrielle McKone

A musical about retail, performed in a retail environment, the Readings cinema complex, Retail Cabaret is billed by the producers as a love letter to the hard working retail assistants of New Zealand - and “a healthy bit of emotional catharsis for two performers who have spent a long time working in retail”.

“In an epic slice of life story, Ava must face off against classic retail assistant threats, such as returns, shoplifters, and even worse, really really rude customers, in the hopes of making her monthly target, and being awarded the coveted platinum certificate.”

“Retail work can be an isolating experience with weird power dynamics,” writes producer Ingrid Saker. "We are wanting to promote the strength that having a supportive workplace can give you."

Singer-songwriters, and the show’s performers, Maxwell Apse and Jen Smith have worked together on two musical projects in the past two years, a romantic comedy webseries, in collaboration with the Candle Wasters, Happy Playland, and their own original comedic-noir musical podcast The Disrespectables.

“Having a long time interest in staged musicals, and history in working in retail, they decided their next project would be a small scale cabaret, all about the ‘joys’ of working in clothing stores, and the bonds you make with the people you work with.”

They are accompanied by musicians Sam Trist and Jacob Baxter.