Lisa Appignanesi's book is the story of a modernist cabaret, from which many artists, writers, musicians, theater directors came out. The story of "Black Cat," where Claude Debussy brandished a spoon while conducting a chorus of regulars; "Agile Rabbit," in which Picasso and Apollinaire were wrapped; Petersburg "Stray Dog"; "Red Highlight," which Brecht discovered; the anti-Nazi Zurich "Pepper," and a great variety of other cabarets.