MUSIC & YOU: Cabaret’s Not Really My Thing ~ Adelaide Fringe 2023 Review

[CABARET/Music ~ WORLD PREMIERE ~ SA] The Chapel at Migration Museum, Tue 15 Mar, 2023. The Migration Museum is the latest of many mini-hubs that pop up at Fringe time. There are two venues: the Yurt (yes, it’s a tent) and The Chapel. Taylor Nobes and musical partner Samuel Lau were playing in The Chapel, a cosy little venue that can squeeze in about 60 people. The show began with some recorded messages extolling the importance of music in our lives and was followed by a sensitive piano piece by Lau. Nobes then breaks the spell by storming on to the stage singing Tina Turner’s Simply the Best. Some audience interaction followed before Elton John’s gorgeous classic, Your Song. An amusing segment followed when a couple of audience members were selected to join Nobes on stage and show their dance moves. They were so good I think they may have been hand-picked before the show! A quieter original song from Nobes about abuse in the workplace was a powerful statement. Another beautifully delicate solo piano piece stilled the crowd before Nobes once more whipped up a crowd frenzy to close the show. There were two musical styles on show here. One showy set of songs that fed off the audience and another quieter more reflective style that was based on a more personal relationship with music. Elements of this show were similar to what you’ll see on shows like Australian Idol and The Voice. Performers going for big vocal notes whether the song requires them or not, and audiences wishing to be part of the show and wanting their applause to be part of the spectacle. A lot of fun was had by all with some fine musicality in and around the hoopla. 3 stars Michael Coghlan MUSIC & YOU – Cabaret’s Not Really My Thing continues at The Chapel at Migration Museum at 8.15pm until Sun 19 Mar. Book at FringeTIX and adelaidefringe.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #ClotheslineMag #ADLFringe