[MUSIC/Cabaret ~ SA]
Main Theatre at Goodwood Institute, Sun 25 Feb, 2024.
After being asked at the eleventh hour to review this show, I arrived slightly later than I planned, and was pleasantly surprised to see a huge line waiting to get in. Deciding, or I should say determined, to redeem my complimentary drink, I cheekily shuffled my way to the bar, with a thousand apologies along the way…excuse me…pardon me… So with drink in hand I felt rather smug having also just navigated my way much closer to the front of the queue to get in. But once inside it was clear that the venue was already almost full! Always a good sign! There goes my smugness!
The show opened with our Blonde Bombshells – Bonnie Lee Galea and Kerry Reid – singing I Got Rhythm. This was followed by Reid, one of Adelaide’s comedy cabaret darlings, singing Lullaby Of Broadway; it was indeed a treat. Her cabaret experience really shone when she channelled Mae West while singing Frankie & Johnny. Reid delivered some fabulous one-liners as ‘Mae’ which got raucous laughs from the audience. Her representation of Mae was delivered with the sass of a seasoned pro.
Galea then re-entered the stage as Blossom Dearie and was joined by Quinton Dunne (double bass) for the male part of the vocal, with ‘Mae’ looking suitably bored from the side of the stage adding that extra touch of comedy to her character.
The momentum built, as all good shows do, when we were treated to a gorgeous rendition of Marlene Deitrich’s Falling In Love Again, delivered with beautiful whimsy by Reid.
Galea returned, this time as Rosemary Clooney singing two of her hits, and swinging about in yet another stunning frock while the band seemed to take flight with a great version of Mambo Italiano. Galea delivered some gorgeous renditions of her song, as is expected from such a seasoned performer.
The show finished with a final duet I Love Being Here With You, and I’d lost count of how many costume changes were made!
Suffice to say it was a wonderfully entertaining evening and the band made up of some of Adelaide’s best musicians, including Quinton Dunne on double bass, Josh Chenoweth on trumpet, Richard Coates on Keys and Steve Todd on drums. Together they make up the quartet ‘Jazz In Cheek’.
So, if you love a good show tune, a blonde wig, and a vast array of stunning outfits, this is the show for you!
4 stars
Lily de Leo
The Blonde Bombshells Of Jazz continues at 1851 Stables at The Rising Sun Hotel, Auburn, Clare Valley, from 2.30pm on Sun 3 Mar.
Book at adelaidefringe.com.au and FringeTIX. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.
The Blonde Bombshells Of Jazz is Proudly Supporting Cancer Council SA via Marilyn Jetty Swim, with $5 from every Show CD sold or ordered on the night of their show.
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Lily De Leo
If you love a good show tune, a blonde wig, and a vast array of stunning outfits, this is the show for you!
