Seymour presents
CABARET, COCKTAILS AND KARAOKE
Hosted by Kimie Tsukakoshi
OCTOBER — Cabaret, Cocktails & Karaoke Sydney
This October, step into a world where the spirits are never far away.
Halloween takes on an Asian twist with an evening inspired by the rich traditions of ghosts, spirits and the afterlife that weave through cultures across Asia. From Japan's yūrei and Korea's gwisin to China's Hungry Ghost traditions and the supernatural folklore found throughout Southeast Asia, this is a celebration of stories where the boundary between worlds is beautifully blurred.
Ghost stories are a universal language across Asia—sometimes frightening, often funny, and always revealing something about the living. This special edition explores those traditions through a uniquely contemporary cabaret lens.
On the eve of Halloween, our October night of Cabaret, Cocktails & Karaoke –begins with a specially curated performance by Kimie Tsukakoshi from her sold out show, The Well, plus of course we’ll feature our usual outstanding lineup of Asian-Australian performers. Through music, comedy, storytelling and theatrical surprises, the evening explores the mysterious, the mischievous and the magical, drawing inspiration from centuries of folklore while celebrating the creativity of today's artists.
Then the spirits make way for the living.
As the cabaret gives way to karaoke, the audience becomes part of the night's story. Whether you're singing a haunting ballad, an outrageous pop anthem or your favourite guilty pleasure, everyone is invited to step into the spotlight.
With cocktails or mocktails flowing and the atmosphere buzzing, this is Halloween reimagined—equal parts theatrical, joyful and unforgettable.
Where folklore meets fun, and every voice has its moment to haunt the stage.
Kimie honed her craft as a child by singing ‘Lipstick on Your Collar’ on her family’s karaoke machine over and over until she was asked to stop. During a detour into corporate life, Kimie cultivated her love of attention thanks to community musical theatre (Marcy Park x 2, Kim x 2 and Christmas Eve x 1).
After leaving the corporate world behind, Kimie has become a prolific stage and screen actor, working with companies such as STC, QT and La Boite, and in shows like The Bureau of Magical Things and The Family Law. She is currently developing her one woman show The Ring and I, a sexy horror-comedy cabaret based on the 1998 film, 'Ringu', and is also a regular improviser at Improv Theatre Sydney. She is thrilled to be working with this wonderful team on Cabaret, Cocktails and Karaoke.
Kimie’s current go-to karaoke song is ‘You Oughta Know’ by Alanis Morrisette, but she really needs to find a new one before her friends ask her to stop.
Monica Sayers was born into a family of cabaret performers. This informed her path towards singing, dancing and acting from childhood.
Her first performance was on board the P&O Fairstar cruise ship, the youngest in the troop of 30 children singing and dancing to Shirley Temple’s On the Good Ship Lollipop. Her massive crepe paper bow pinned to her head overshadowed her performance and stole the spotlight, though it didn’t deter Monica’s curiosity and passion for the craft. She accompanied her parents, who were regular acts on board the cruiseliner, some 4-5 cruises around Asia. From a ripe young age of 3, Monica witnessed many cabaret acts, was babysat by fellow performers and joked and played dress ups in the cruise ship Best Dressed Parade.
Yes, she was once dressed as a clown and as a butterfly. (There is photographic evidence) When time came to pull into port, Monica was lucky enough to see the likes of Mo Award illusionists Ken and Toshi Littlewood, to later hearing the divine vocals of Jacki Love, then onto the vocal triumphs of Chinese superstar, Francis Yip.
Monica’s parents as the cabaret act, The Yin Yan Duo, has had a remarkable influence on her pathway and now it brings her great pleasure to come together with the team of Cabaret, Cocktails and Karaoke to forge a new regular monthly night of entertainment, storytelling and all things Asian.
Joanne Kee, Artistic Director of the Seymour Centre, is reimagining the venue as a contemporary cultural hub where artists and audiences connect, and new voices shape the future of performance.
Previously, as Executive and Creative Producer of Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta, she built the company into a nationally recognised force and a strong ecosystem for artists.
Her broader leadership includes Chair of Ausdance NSW, where she initiated Critical Path; Artistic Director of the Sydney Improvised Music Association; and roles with Sydney Opera House and Arts Council England, reflecting her commitment to equity, representation and bold storytelling.
Dom Mercer is a dramaturg, director and arts programmer. Until recently he was Head of New Work at Belvoir St Theatre, where he also founded and curated 25A in the downstairs theatre.
Over the years he's worked with most of Australia's major theatre companies: STC, MTC, Griffin, Malthouse, STCSA, National Theatre of Parramatta and more — which is a polite way of saying he's been in a lot of rehearsal rooms and programming conversations.
He is terrible at karaoke, but unlikely to be able to resist the urge if Mr Brightside by The Killers came on.
Host Kimie Tsukakoshi
Director Monica Sayers
Artistic Director & Producer Joanne Kee
Artistic & Programming Consultant Dom Mercer
Approximately 150 minutes with a 30-minute interval. No lockouts apply.
| Adult | $49 |
|---|---|
| Book Table of 6 | $45pp |
| Full Time Student* | $35 |
| Pensioner* | $35 |
$8 transaction fee applies.
Take a seat in our intimate cabaret-style room and let the music draw you in. Tickets are general admission, so pull up a chair, meet new friends, and soak up the atmosphere. Want a table all to yourselves? We offer a limited number of reserved tables when booking for six people in one transaction, which can be reserved online.
Tickets include a complimentary cocktail or mocktail on entry. Offer is not redeemable for cash.
*Please be prepared to present corresponding ID at your event if requested by our staff. Read more.
Recommended for ages 13+.
Photography and videography are welcome, share your experience and tag @seymoursydney and @seymour_cck when posting on socials.
If you’re taking part in karaoke and would prefer not to be photographed or filmed, simply let the audience know before you take the stage.
Children under the age of 2 years may sit on a guardian's lap free of charge.
If you have access needs, please contact our Box Office staff at 02 7255 1561.
The only authorised ticket seller for this event is Seymour Centre. If you purchase from an unauthorised seller, you risk that your tickets may be fake or invalid.
Approximately 150 minutes with a 30-minute interval. No lockouts apply.
| Adult | $49 |
|---|---|
| Book Table of 6 | $45pp |
| Full Time Student* | $35 |
| Pensioner* | $35 |
$8 transaction fee applies.
Take a seat in our intimate cabaret-style room and let the music draw you in. Tickets are general admission, so pull up a chair, meet new friends, and soak up the atmosphere. Want a table all to yourselves? We offer a limited number of reserved tables when booking for six people in one transaction, which can be reserved online.
Tickets include a complimentary cocktail or mocktail on entry. Offer is not redeemable for cash.
*Please be prepared to present corresponding ID at your event if requested by our staff. Read more.
Recommended for ages 13+.
Photography and videography are welcome, share your experience and tag @seymoursydney and @seymour_cck when posting on socials.
If you’re taking part in karaoke and would prefer not to be photographed or filmed, simply let the audience know before you take the stage.
Children under the age of 2 years may sit on a guardian's lap free of charge.
If you have access needs, please contact our Box Office staff at 02 7255 1561.
The only authorised ticket seller for this event is Seymour Centre. If you purchase from an unauthorised seller, you risk that your tickets may be fake or invalid.
Kimie honed her craft as a child by singing ‘Lipstick on Your Collar’ on her family’s karaoke machine over and over until she was asked to stop. During a detour into corporate life, Kimie cultivated her love of attention thanks to community musical theatre (Marcy Park x 2, Kim x 2 and Christmas Eve x 1).
After leaving the corporate world behind, Kimie has become a prolific stage and screen actor, working with companies such as STC, QT and La Boite, and in shows like The Bureau of Magical Things and The Family Law. She is currently developing her one woman show The Ring and I, a sexy horror-comedy cabaret based on the 1998 film, 'Ringu', and is also a regular improviser at Improv Theatre Sydney. She is thrilled to be working with this wonderful team on Cabaret, Cocktails and Karaoke.
Kimie’s current go-to karaoke song is ‘You Oughta Know’ by Alanis Morrisette, but she really needs to find a new one before her friends ask her to stop.
Monica Sayers was born into a family of cabaret performers. This informed her path towards singing, dancing and acting from childhood.
Her first performance was on board the P&O Fairstar cruise ship, the youngest in the troop of 30 children singing and dancing to Shirley Temple’s On the Good Ship Lollipop. Her massive crepe paper bow pinned to her head overshadowed her performance and stole the spotlight, though it didn’t deter Monica’s curiosity and passion for the craft. She accompanied her parents, who were regular acts on board the cruiseliner, some 4-5 cruises around Asia. From a ripe young age of 3, Monica witnessed many cabaret acts, was babysat by fellow performers and joked and played dress ups in the cruise ship Best Dressed Parade.
Yes, she was once dressed as a clown and as a butterfly. (There is photographic evidence) When time came to pull into port, Monica was lucky enough to see the likes of Mo Award illusionists Ken and Toshi Littlewood, to later hearing the divine vocals of Jacki Love, then onto the vocal triumphs of Chinese superstar, Francis Yip.
Monica’s parents as the cabaret act, The Yin Yan Duo, has had a remarkable influence on her pathway and now it brings her great pleasure to come together with the team of Cabaret, Cocktails and Karaoke to forge a new regular monthly night of entertainment, storytelling and all things Asian.
Joanne Kee, Artistic Director of the Seymour Centre, is reimagining the venue as a contemporary cultural hub where artists and audiences connect, and new voices shape the future of performance.
Previously, as Executive and Creative Producer of Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta, she built the company into a nationally recognised force and a strong ecosystem for artists.
Her broader leadership includes Chair of Ausdance NSW, where she initiated Critical Path; Artistic Director of the Sydney Improvised Music Association; and roles with Sydney Opera House and Arts Council England, reflecting her commitment to equity, representation and bold storytelling.
Dom Mercer is a dramaturg, director and arts programmer. Until recently he was Head of New Work at Belvoir St Theatre, where he also founded and curated 25A in the downstairs theatre.
Over the years he's worked with most of Australia's major theatre companies: STC, MTC, Griffin, Malthouse, STCSA, National Theatre of Parramatta and more — which is a polite way of saying he's been in a lot of rehearsal rooms and programming conversations.
He is terrible at karaoke, but unlikely to be able to resist the urge if Mr Brightside by The Killers came on.
Host Kimie Tsukakoshi
Director Monica Sayers
Artistic Director & Producer Joanne Kee
Artistic & Programming Consultant Dom Mercer