THE CABARET

ALI McGREGOR

Cabaret can be whatever you want it to be. If you have a story to tell, or you are not seeing your story told on traditional stages, there is always a place for you at the table. It is the truest form of conversation between artist and audience.

Australians do cabaret well. As artists, we don’t have many opportunities, and DIY is in our blood. If there is no door opening for you, you can write a show and open it for yourself. Theatre has branches that take you to both familiar and unimaginable places and Adelaide Cabaret Festival is the Magic Faraway tree of festivals.

The artists I chose this year I consider some of the best the world has to offer. They are true cabaret artists. Lifers, not here on vacation. They have powerful voices with something to say. But they also have slightly filthy minds and love what they do. Which is my favourite combination of personality traits.

Julia Zemiro

It was a breakaway move to ask a non-musician to be Artistic Director of this festival. It was a thrilling challenge, and I sought to bring more improv, politics, and immersive shows alongside the brilliant music.

The melancholy in my festival was that our leading light Frank Ford was not with us. He has left a generous legacy: $20,000 each year for 10 years, to commission new work from a South Australian cabaret artist or group. We were proud to present the first grant to Unsung with Amelia Ryan and Libby O’Donovan.

Covid then cancelled us in 2020. Everything stopped. Eight months of work was gone. There were bigger losses around us but I still have that shadow festival in my heart and mind.

So it was wonderful to be invited back in 2021 with Rockwiz to salute all that is Eurovision! I will be bringing back the wiz this year with a brand-new salute and LGBTIQ+ Elders Dance Club by All The Queens Men. Cabaret is a place of community and joy. The dance club did this so beautifully in 2019, celebrating diversity with a cup of tea in an afternoon disco. Heaven.

See you then mes amis x

Alan Cumming

When I was asked to be artistic director I really thought long and hard about the form of cabaret itself, and one of the things I realised was it has been a bit hijacked by musical theatre.

So, I really tried to present a programme that showed the true variety of possibilities the cabaret form encompasses. And with that in mind, this year I have brought back two shows that are different every night!

Bojana Novakovic’s Blind Date Project is a fusion of theatre, comedy, karaoke and improv. Adelaide Tonight is an intergenerational variety feast. I hope you enjoy gorging on both!

Tina Arena Am

Art in all its forms is what makes life worth living, so creating a festival dedicated to this ideal was a joy.

I learned so much during my tenure as AD, and delighted in exploring the hearts and minds of the Australian cultural landscape. Creating Songs My Mother

Taught Me was my love letter to the rich tapestry of Australian multiculturalism and the gift of sharing our histories through songs and stories.

I discovered that what thrills me most about Cabaret as a genre is its audacity, its wit and its spontaneity. You’re never quite sure where the songs and stories will take you and what will surprise you along the way.

Last year we promised to Lead You Astray. May the path be long and winding.

Australia

WORLD PREMIERE & AUSTRALIAN EXCLUSIVE VARIETY GALA

The 2023

InDaily

Adelaide Cabaret Festival’s favourite event returns in 2023 with a very special cabaret reunion!

As Adelaide Festival Centre turns 50, join us for a once in a lifetime spectacle full of surprises and iconic guests, featuring Kate Ceberano, David Campbell, Eddie Perfect, Ali McGregor, Julia Zemiro and many more.

See you on the red carpet in your cabaret best for a celebration that will light up your winter.

Festival Theatre

Fri 9 June, 7pm

2 hours (120 mins) including interval

Prem $140

A Res $120

B Res $99

Suitability all ages

Hosted by Virginia Gay

Director: Mitchell Butel Mitchell Butel’s services are provided courtesy State Theatre Company of South Australia.

Musical Director: Mark Ferguson

Line-Up Includes: David Campbell, Kate Ceberano, Ali McGregor, Eddie Perfect, Julia Zemiro and more…

Photos: Claudio Raschella