[WORLD PREMIERE ~ ADELAIDE EXCLUSIVE ~ AUS/INT ~ IF YOU LOVE… A MAIN EVENT]
Thebarton Theatre, Fri 7 Jun.
The House Is Live! and buzzing with anticipation and excitement for the Opening Night of the 2019 Adelaide Cabaret Festival season. The line-up that Julia Zemiro and her team have brought to Adelaide this year promises to be as diverse and amazing as ever, and this sneak-peak into some of what is to come has certainly whet our appetites for more!
The traditional welcome to country was not so traditional as we had a father present his two daughters to perform The Womens’ Story In Song And Dance, it was beautifully done and different to what I have seen before, so perfectly fitting into the world of Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
With a big band entrance, Julia Zemiro (Ally) and Mitchell Butel (just a singer) introduce us to the season and the night with an entertaining rendition of Swell Party with hilarious Adelaide references that make us proud and giggle at the same time.
First up, Reuben Kaye, in his sequined suit, the Lamborghini of Cabaret! Funny and talented, singing “look at me” he is a laugh a minute act with a voice to swoon to. His second act was just as funny, but his song while sitting on the edge of the stage was a beautiful heartfelt ballad that has me on the edge of tears.
Alma Zygier delights us with her pure jazzy voice that is reminiscent of another era. She had me toe tapping along to her tunes and the joy of performing was evident for all to see.
Nkechi Anele knocked our socks off with her powerhouse voice; proving lonely songs do not need to be slow and sad, instead upbeat and sexy. Her second appearance later in the show proves to be soulful and just as fabulous.
Dramatic music announced the appearance of The Swell Mob, who invade the audience and engage us with a sing-a-long. Set in the 1800s, this show promises to be an event not to be missed!
The sublime Queenie Van De Zandt gives us a country-esque version of Candyland. Her voice is so powerful and emotional, and my reaction of WOW gives voice to the fact she left me with no words to express how amazing she is. Her act later in the show gave us the drama and comedy to her online dating experiment and sage words, “Dreams do come true if you work for them, but sometimes dreams don’t look like what you expect.” Once again her song left me speechless; she is definitely not to be missed in this year’s season.
Omar Musa has been described as a master of poetry, monologue and song, he came out with a hard hitting Rap song of equality and of not assimilating to be part of the majority and embracing who he is and the minorities in general, basically sticking it to the ‘man’. His next was a complete turn around and was an emotional sweet poetry piece. His will be an interesting show to see.
Paul Capsis embodies everything cabaret, with everything expected, grand piano, sad slow tempo, without the expected red sequin dress! His is a beautiful languid sexy singing voice that had me enthralled right from the beginning.
Scantily clad in not much more that her feather crown and tail, Maude Davey entertains us with her version of “am I ever going to see your face again?” with the traditional response from the crowd. She is back this year with her show My Life In The Nude.
This year’s Icon Award goes to Meow Meow, very deservingly, she is quick witted, hilarious and original, her voice is as beautiful as she is. With audience participation on stage, her first song was hilarious as it was fabulous! Her second song is an original she was ‘forced’ to write Hotel Amour (available on iTunes), beautiful and heart wrenching!
She then did a duo with Paul Capsis of Happy Days Are Here Again, the harmonies fitting perfectly together.
The end of the show arrives all too quickly with all the performers gathered on stage to sing a rendition of Come On, Get Happy. The encore is dedicated to the late Frank Ford, as a tribute to him there will be a bright light burning for him the entire Cabaret season. Frank’s good friend Meow Meow sings a melody for him, moving and brilliant.
Adelaide Cabaret Festival is now LIVE and running until St 22 Jun. Escape To Be Seen this cabaret season!
5 stars
Janine Spearpoint
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2019 performs at Adelaide Festival Centre and Thebarton Theatre, at various times, until Sat 22 Jun.
Book at BASS on 131 246 and adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au. Click HERE to purchase your tickets.
FB: @adelaidecabaretfestival
TW: @AdelaideCabaret
IG: @adelaidecabaret
#adcabfest
Image courtesy of Claudio Raschella
The Clothesline Rating...
Janine Spearpoint
The House Is Live!
