In the 1930s, Perth’s rich and famous used to use the Cabaret Cave in Yanchep National Park as a special dinner and dance location. On June 2, The Giovanni Consort will present a concert there for up to 200 people featuring a selection of Australasian works from Japan, China and Australia. Perth musician Perry Joyce will conduct the concert which features work by Iain Grandage, Kentaro Sato, Stephen Leek,  Gordon Hamilton and Chen Yi, as well as Joyce himself. Seventeen singers and two instruments will perform. Perry Joyce and Hugh Lydon, the choir’s General Manager and Artistic Director, tell us what to expect.

The Cabaret Cave in Yanchep National Park. Photographs supplied

The cave sounds like a wonderful venue. Has The Giovanni Consort performed there before?

Perry Joyce: This will be our first performance in the cave. It was chosen specifically for its natural ambience and uniqueness.

Hugh Lydon: To my knowledge, this cave has not been used for concerts in a long time. It is most commonly used for weddings and corporate events, despite being originally designed to host cabaret events.

Have either of you seen an event there before?

PJ: This choral performance will be a unique experience, one...