Festival Theatre, Fri 5 Jun

The opening of the 2015 Adelaide Cabaret Festival was a fiesta of glittering, shining superstars. And that was just the audience. Jokingly referring to the empty seats – not that we could sight any – as corporate sponsor seats of those who had already passed – 2015 Cabaret Artistic Director Barry Humphries set the tone with a cheeky wink at the crowd, kindly acknowledging the sacred ground which the Festival is held on, (that of the Polites Family, of course).

The Gala opening is a star studded event for invited guests and local sponsors, media persons and the public who are chomping at the bit for a preview of the fifteen odd shows handpicked for the night.

Top highlights, aside from the obvious hilarity and saucy innuendo from host for the evening Meow Meow and the effervescent Barry Humphries, included the vinyl-clad Strange Bedfellows, a raunchy and quick witted duo with equally dynamic voices; the gorgeous Tap Pack, who flawlessly pattered their way into the hearts of all in the room; and Rosa Waxoffski (Marney McQueen) whose celebrity waxing stories left no one unscathed and everyone feeling a little vulnerable.

Meow Meow, in her seamless delivery, reminded us all as to why it is never a good idea to accept front row seats, and indulged us with the assistance of three unsuspecting men in the room who became her playthings for an uncomfortably long time. Adam Hills managed to enrol the entire audience into singing the Australian National Anthem sung to the tune of Jimmy Barnes’ Working Class Man, while Reuben Kay, host of the Backstage Club for the first week of the Festival, enticed us into ensuring we all stay for an extra drink after our shows if not just for the privilege of seeing him again such was his charisma.

For the musically minded, we were treated to the stunning Clover Club, Karrin Allyson Quartet (Humphries’ stated first pick for the Festival) and an amazing finale of Greta Bradman and Teddy Tahu Rhodes along with The Idea of North. In a wonderful wrap-up of the evening, much to everyone’s delight, Dame Edna took to the stage for what will be her only appearance at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. What a great way to close an equally great event.

Sian Williams

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Festival Theatre, Fri 5 Jun The opening of the 2015 Adelaide Cabaret Festival was a fiesta of glittering, shining superstars. And that was just the audience. Jokingly referring to the empty seats - not that we could sight any - as corporate sponsor seats of those who had already passed - 2015 Cabaret Artistic Director Barry Humphries set the tone with a cheeky wink at the crowd, kindly acknowledging the sacred ground which the Festival is held on, (that of the Polites Family, of course). The Gala opening is a star studded event for invited guests and local sponsors, media persons and the public who are chomping at the bit for a preview of the fifteen odd shows handpicked for the night. Top highlights, aside from the obvious hilarity and saucy innuendo from host for the evening Meow Meow and the effervescent Barry Humphries, included the vinyl-clad Strange Bedfellows, a raunchy and quick witted duo with equally dynamic voices; the gorgeous Tap Pack, who flawlessly pattered their way into the hearts of all in the room; and Rosa Waxoffski (Marney McQueen) whose celebrity waxing stories left no one unscathed and everyone feeling a little vulnerable. Meow Meow, in her seamless delivery, reminded us all as to why it is never a good idea to accept front row seats, and indulged us with the assistance of three unsuspecting men in the room who became her playthings for an uncomfortably long time. Adam Hills managed to enrol the entire audience into singing the Australian National Anthem sung to the tune of Jimmy Barnes’ Working Class Man, while Reuben Kay, host of the Backstage Club for the first week of the Festival, enticed us into ensuring we all stay for an extra drink after our shows if not just for the privilege of seeing him again such was his charisma. For the musically minded, we were treated to the stunning Clover Club, Karrin Allyson Quartet (Humphries’ stated first pick for the Festival) and an amazing finale of Greta Bradman and Teddy Tahu Rhodes along with The Idea of North. In a wonderful wrap-up of the evening, much to everyone’s delight, Dame Edna took to the stage for what will be her only appearance at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. What a great way to close an equally great event. Sian Williams

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Sian Williams

A fiesta of glittering, shining superstars.

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