Courtney Act ~ The Girl From Oz: There’s No Place Like Home – Adelaide Cabaret Festival Review

Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, Sat 17 Jun. Courtney Act first came to the attention of the nation when she appeared in the debut season of Australian Idol in 2003, at a time when a fluid gender expression and drag was much less visible on mainstream television. She is known most recently as a contestant on the sixth season of RuPaul’s Drag Race where she came runner up, alongside Adore Delano, to the comedic genius Bianca Del Rio. Act has lived in Los Angeles for the past 7 years, but has returned down-under to celebrate Australian music and artists in The Girl From Oz. The show is probably better suited to an American audience with its references and videos about Donald Trump and his election campaign, but there are still some great local jokes thrown in about Cocaine Cassie and Shannon Noll’s famous Crazy Horse visit. Fans of RuPaul’s Drag Race would also appreciate the shade thrown at famous American drag queens. The music, led by Daniel Edmonds, covered a wide range of Australian artists including Gotye, Peter Allen, Sia and Natalie Imbruglia, and Act even roller-skated onto the stage to pay homage to Olivia Newton-John. The arrangements were generally interesting and always tightly performed by the three-piece band, even when Act sounded out-of-tune on a few occasions. Courtney Act’s voice is unique and interesting to listen to as she sings continuously at the high end of a male voice with faultless transition in and out of falsetto, which ensures Act’s voice matches her gender on stage. Courtney Act looked stunning in her three costumes showing off her slim feminine body. She does not just rely on pretty though, with some beautiful touching moments such as the Lana Del Rey-inspired Stayin’ Alive and Peter Allen’s Don’t Cry Out Loud. Courtney Act is an Australian icon representing her country in her own fabulous way. 3.5 stars Bobby Goudie Courtney Act: The Girl From Oz continues at Magic Mirrors Spiegeltent, Adelaide Convention Centre Lawns, from 2.30pm until Sun 18 Jun. Book at BASS on 131 246 or bass.net.au Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #AdCabFest Image courtesy of Magnus Hastings