2012 Adelaide Cabaret Festival program launched
Monday, April 2, 2012 at 11:30AM
2012 Adelaide Cabaret Festival program was launched on March 31 at the Adelaide Festival Theatre.
Artistic Director of the Festival Kate Ceberano kicked off the evening with the sultry rendition of “Let’s All Get Together”, backed by an excellent three-piece band in front of a packed audience.
Matt Gilberston was flawless as the cheeky, witty and hilarious emcee of the evening.
CEO & Artistic Director of Adelaide Festival Centre Douglas Gautier and Minister for the Arts John Hill spoke about the successes the Adelaide Cabaret Festival has enjoyed in the last 12 years. The attendances to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival have more than doubled and the 2011 Festival was a record-breaking year at the box office.
Debra Byrne
In between the announcements of the shows within the program, Cabaret fans were treated to the performance by Justin Burford, who morphed into Kurt Cobain, Eddie Perfect’s dark, satirical self-penned song about Neanderthal romance and Debra Byrne’s showstopping performance of “With One Look” from Sunset Boulevard.
2012 program features 110 international artists from the United States of America, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Ireland and the best from Australia with 194 Australian artists, 110 of those South Australian performers. Showcasing eight World premieres, seven Australian premieres and 20 Adelaide premieres, the vibrant program also features 12 international shows, many of which are exclusive to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
When the Festival opens on the Queens Birthday long weekend – June 8, 2012 – there will be 49 different shows and 146 performances across 16 electrifying nights.
Rather than having a headliner or opening/closing acts, Kate Ceberano opted for an even keel approach that focuses on every show throughout the Festival.
She has also re-designed the Festival with David Bromley and will be transforming the performance space as well as interior and public space to evoke the colonial, vaudeville theme she’s chosen for 2012.
The diverse selection of Festival acts across many genres and styles - comedy, satire, contemporary, rock, pop, blues, soul, swing, gypsy jazz, the Broadway classics and theatre. Kate Ceberano has covered a lot of ground and made sure the shows appeal to all ages and tastes.
Mark Nadler
The unofficial Festival mascot Mark Nadler will return for the fifth year and will be host the Variety Gala Performance. He will also present his solo show I’m a Stranger Myself and of course, the absolute crowd favourite Broadway Hootenanny.
There are more revistors to the Festival. Acclaimed Australian Weimar-style cabaret artist based in New York City, Kim Smith is also coming back to the Festival to perform his critically acclaimed show Misfit. Sharon Millerchip will channel Marlene Dietrich but not as you’d expect. Irish chanteuse Camille O’Sullivan will bring sexy to cabaret.
Musical theatre luminaries such as Lea Salonga, Eden Espinosa, Ben Vereen, Sherie Rene Scott, Debra Byrne, Bernadette Robinson will lift the roof of the Adelaide Festival venues.
Mary Wilson, a founding member of The Surpremes, will team up with author James Gavin to create the captivating story of Lena Horne.
Kim Smith
There are many crossover artists who are trying their hand at cabaret. Lenny Henry, who is known for his stand-up comedy career, will show off his singing prowess. Other artists like the former frontman of rock band End of Fashion and star of Rock of Ages Justin Burford, prominent country singer Troy Cassar-Daly, indie-jazz songstress Katie Noonan, Tex Perkins, Tim Freedman, Clare Bowditch, indie soul singer Paris Wells, The Snowdroppers, gypsy jazz trio The Lost Fingers, French supergroup Nouvelle Vague front woman Nadeah and will all embrace cabaret. Cosentino, the illusionist will bring a touch of magic. Festival Designer David Bromley will collaborate with his longtime friend and singer-songwriter Brian Cadd - the audience will see David create a new artwork live on stage, while Brian entertains and inspires on piano. Zoe Keating, a cello version of Julianna Barwick, will use a cello and a foot-controlled laptop to record layer upon layer of cello to perform a one-woman orchestra.
Eddie Perfect
An impressive ensemble of Australian performers will pay homage to David Bowie in Ziggy – The Songs of David Bowie. The show is a theatrically inspired musical journey into the stardust-filled scrapbook of the man and his music, and features three of the finest voices in the world of contemporary music Jeff Duff, Steve Balbi and Brydon Stace.
Kane Alexander, best known for the lead roles he’s performed on the musical stage and his touring days with pop Superstars Il Divo, will perform his sophisticated New York Style cabaret.
For the rock fans, two of the most successful and influential songwriters in Australian rock history – brothers Rick and John Brewster present Brothers, Angels and Demons. Australian legend Don Walker will steer you down the road in his show Tales from the Landsborough Highway, an hour of song and stories from the man himself backed by his five piece band the Suave F***’s,
South Australian company Various People Inc present the World Premiere of The Velvet Gentleman: the odd story of Erik Satie. This performance will transport show-goers to twentieth century Paris and the curious world of eccentric composer and cabaret pianist Erik Satie.
One of Australia’s most highly regarded performers Jack Charles will engage you in an evening of songs from his 1940s childhood through to a blues version of Oodgeroo Noonuccal’s poem Son of Mine. Don’t miss Music from the Stage Production, JACK CHARLES V THE CROWN.
For something a bit different, Swing Time With The Andrew Sisters will have you reliving all the memorable hits of WWII from one of the most successful female vocal groups in popular music. And Australia’s favourite musical comedy trio Tripod will have you in stitches.
The Banquet Room will become home to the diverse, the divine and the entertaining in this year’s Festival, and will also host the late night club named Backstage. Designed by David Bromley, Backstage will be an eclectic mix of all the best that the Cabaret Festival has to offer with regular appearances by a variety of Cabaret Festival artists, dancers and DJs.
Emma Dean
It’s heartening to see a big list of young Australian cabaret performers such as Emma Dean, Eddie Perfect,Tommy Bradson, Virginia Gay, Keira Daley and Johanna Allen, who are all accomplished in the field and are paving the path for the new generation of artists. Keep your eye out for the debut performance of Angela Harding, the winner of 2011 Australian Cabaret Showcase.
Yes, the high school students will be back - this year a new class of 30 cabaret students from 15 secondary schools from across the state will share their stories through music in Class of Cabaret 2012. This program is supported by CentreEd and The Department for Education and Child Development.
This year, the masterclass/art talk is only open to the GreenRoom members (16-30 years old). The members will be able to attend ‘How to get your show up’ with the creative team of the show Kurt.
Subscribe to four or more shows and save. As a subscriber you can buy additional tickets to any Adelaide Cabaret Festival show at the subscriber price as well as automatically entering the draw to WIN an Extraordinary Prize Package worth over $4,000. For full terms and conditions please go towww.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au . Existing Adelaide Festival Centre subscribers can automatically access the subscriber price.
Full program and tickets are on sale now through BASS 131 246 or online www.bass.net.au . Program details are available in the Adelaide Cabaret Festival brochure. Get one free by calling the Adelaide Cabaret Hotline on (08) 8216 8901 or go to www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au
2012 Adelaide Cabaret Festival – June 8 to 23
www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au
My Top 10 Picks (in alphabetical order)
Mark Nadler I’m a Stranger Here Myself
Stormy Weather – The Lena Horne Project
Tommy Bradson The Men My Mother Loved
Virginia Gay Dirty Pretty Songs
Special mentions:
Johanna Allen, Ben Vereen, Class of Cabaret, Ladynerd, The Lost Fingers, Sharon Millerchip, Tripod
Watch the YouTube clip that captures the essence of this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
*If you are interested in having your show featured on Cabaret Confessional, click here for more information.
Find out how YOU can become an exclusive Founding Patron of Cabaret Confessional.
Subscribe to Cabaret Confessional via email.
‘Like’ Cabaret Confessional on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
