Copla: A Spanish Cabaret

Date: Wednesday 17 June 2026

Start: 18:00:00

Venue: The Loading Dock Theatre @ Qtopia

Location: Darlinghurst

Price: $20.00 - $30.00

Copla, a musical form practically unknown abroad, is essential to Spain’s cultural and political history. Copla songs channel queer and migrant experiences from Spain’s early musicals, hitting all the right notes for individuals who appreciate melodramatic music. Copla once served as a political tool against repression, firstly under Franco’s dictatorship, and later for Spanish LGBTQIA+ communities. This cabaret show celebrates queer migrant identity and exposes its pitfalls: living away from one’s homeland, translating cherished childhood musicals, reinterpreting queer-loved songs, and self-negotiating foreignness. Queer migrant performer Alejandro Postigo deconstructs traditional Spanish songs and shares their historical significance for queer collectives, inviting the audience to engage in a dialogue. Through his performance of English Copla and sharing personal life stories, you’ll witness his drag rebirth alongside live music, a drink in hand, and plenty of interaction. This show makes Copla accessible to English-speaking audiences through new translations. Accompanied by live piano and violin, the performance blends melodrama, humour, and emotional honesty, transforming Copla into a vehicle for resistance and personal expression.