Paul McDermott in The Funhouse: A Veritable Carnival Of Misfits And Magic Makers ~ Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2022 Review – Cabaret Festival Review

[CABARET ~ WORLD PREMIERE & ADELAIDE EXCLUSIVE ~ AUS] The Famous Spiegeltent, Festival Plaza, Thu 23 Jun. In the last couple of years, despite the plague, Paul McDermott has engaged in a renewed relationship with Adelaide. His sterling shows during the last two Fringe Festivals have been exceptional and must see highlights. McDermott is a divisive figure in some ways. People worship the guy (guilty) and adore his laser precision shut downs of politicians, anti-vaxers, sacred cows, and often his own audience, but it’s these very things that are sometimes too much for others. In his ‘plus one’ collaborator, Glenn Moorhouse, he has found a perfect foil and musical catalyst. They have written an astounding amount of material together while, with fantastic tunes, cutting and often beautiful lyrics. They work wonderfully together. The Funhouse harks back to his hosting the ABC cabaret show The Sideshow, with Paul as the ringmaster of cavalcade different acts, in this case from around the Cabaret Festival. Tonight we witness the Mohawked Captain Ruin (an unusualist and Australia’s favourite punk rock idiot) in a tutu and on roller skates crashing to the floor repeatedly, magician and illusionist James Galea and the outstanding Sri Lankan born, Australian raised stand-up comedian Dilruk Jaysinha. Dilruk’s set about romance in COVID times and discovering his partner’s parent were black belt Bogans was hysterical stuff. Captain Rush reappeared late to lift a 7 kilo bowling ball with his penis, which shocked many and caused a lot of gentleman’s sphincters to clench in sympathetic discomfort. McDermott and his in-house combo (who were terrific) gave us a joyous Waiting For The Show To Begin with our host entering through the crowd and telling us this was going to be the most hedonistic, debauched, wild and sexually explicit show of decadence Adelaide has ever seen, in a tent, which is why it was on at 6pm. Beach Boys-esque The Anti-Vaxers Were Right, the mega-catchy Pete Evans Magic Machine. He regales with tales of the untamed streets of Adelaide before leading the entire audience out onto the plaza for another half hour of jokes, songs, praising of Satan, Dilruk busting out some Eminem and finishing with a new story and song fifteen years in the making. The story of a drug crazed group going to The Silver Mine on night many years ago is as hilarious as the song is gorgeous and hauntingly catchy, as the assembled punters become the chorus sing “Adelaide looks beautiful tonight and “Oh let us be the ones they write songs about” in a two-part round. The line-up changes throughout the season – but guaranteed a top way to kick off a night at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival! 4.5 stars Ian bell Paul McDermott The Funhouse, featuring special guests, continues at The Famous Spiegeltent, Festival Plaza, Adelaide Festival Centre, from 6PM until Sat 25 Jun. Bookings at Ticketek. Click HERE to purchase your tickets. #TheClothesline #AdCabFest #AdelaideFesCent