2015 Adelaide Cabaret Festival – Michael Griffiths in Cole

Michael Griffiths in the stage performance of Cole at the 2015 Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Image: Nicholas Purcell.

Definitely De-Lovely by Linh

Cole is a creative collaboration between Adelaideans, singer-musician Michael Griffiths and pianist-composer-writer Anna Goldworthy, which has resulted in a brilliant show full of heart and soul set to the songs by American composer and lyricist Cole Porter. The use of Porter’s first name in the show’s title demonstrates a more personable account of the talented composer and a very intimate delivery of his songs. The show is just as much about Porter’s private life as it is about his popular songs and Broadway musical successes.

Cole is a beautifully crafted show with Griffiths embodying the persona of Cole Porter throughout the show, as though the real Porter was on stage. There is only Griffiths on stage with a piano and his walking stick, for the entire show.

Griffiths speaks in a manner as witty as Porter’s lyrics and in a tone as marvellous as Porter’s melodies. Porter’s stage musical successes and most intimate yet publicised aspects of his private life are used as a narrative structure for the show. Porter recounts these moments and speaks briefly of his thoughts and feelings before breaking into song. Porter’s songs are interwoven into the show to connect audiences with his public-self, and give a glimpse of his private-self. The songs are the heart of the show as they not only display Porter’s dazzling gift of musicality but also reveal elements of himself in the songs.

Griffiths is excellent and believable as Porter in voice, song and mannerisms. His slight hobbling on the walking stick as he moves onto the stage towards the piano is referenced later in the show. Griffith’s powerful delivery of more than a dozen songs including ‘Anything Goes’, ‘It’s De-Lovely’, ‘I Love Paris’, ‘What Is This Thing Called Love?’, ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ had the audience in raptures. His humour and playfulness while singing ‘Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall In Love’, ‘Let’s Misbehave’, ‘Always True To You In My Fashion’ were a joy to behold. He encouraged and led audience participation for a sing-along of the chorus in the song ‘Another Op’nin’, Another Show’ which was a fun and engaging experience. Audiences were nodding and smiling at the Adelaide cultural references in the song ‘You’re The Top’ with frog cakes, Fruchocs, the quaint rotunda in Elder Park and pie floater mentioned.

Goldworthy deserves much praise for writing the script and arranging the music. Her use of the biographic information to nuance the    songs and musical arrangement are masterfully accomplished.

Cole works well as an introduction to Porter’s songs for the uninitiated and as a pleasurable treat for Porter fans who have loved his work for many years. Porter’s wife Linda and his alleged lover Boris are mentioned throughout as they had a major role in shaping his 
career and the ambiguity of his personal life. Cole reminds us of how exhilarating and timeless Porter’s songs remain and the sophistication of the lyrics and music has eclipsed and surpassed many of those that came afterwards.

2014 Adelaide Cabaret Festival

2014 Adelaide Cabaret Festival artistic director Kate Ceberano and some of her partners-in-crime. Image: Facebook.

Creative Criminals by Linh

The Adelaide Cabaret Festival is the largest cabaret festival in the southern hemisphere and has evolved to become bigger, bolder and more brilliant than before. It is also the most eclectic cabaret festival, especially with a vast array of performers this year which include familiar faces, new talent and international artists. In 2014, it will be the 14^th Adelaide Cabaret Festival and the third and final one with Kate Ceberano as Artistic Director. Kate has been a fabulous ambassador for the performing arts in Australia and overseas, so it has been a delight for Adelaideans and South Australia to have her in an integral role of bringing diverse cabaret culture and music to curious audiences. 

This year’s Cabaret Festival theme is ‘Not Your Usual Suspects’, which is a play on words and adds some mystery to the types of performances audiences may expect. According to an interview with Kate, the theme is inspired by Mark Nadler (an audience favourite from previous Adelaide Cabaret Festivals) who was heckled by an audience member and Mark replied, “Hey buddy, I’m a cabaret artist not a f***ing role model!”. It is about a mix of familiarity and the unknown, where artists who performed many times in Adelaide’s cabaret and other festivals, return with very different or more daring performances. The artists become the masters of musical disguises, so that it may take a mental shift to recognise a musical theatre artist as a country singer or a rock singer performing opera. Their talent to effortlessly move from one musical style/genre to another is so good that it’s a crime. There are the repeat offenders such as Ali McGregor, Paul Capsis, Catherine Alcorn and Libby O’Donovan. International partners-in-crime include Mark Nadler, Brian d’Arcy James, Darlene Love and Kathy Najimy. 

The Cabaret Festival is a shining example of Adelaide’s innovativeness and artistic vision as a festival city and contributes to showcasing South Australia as the Festival State. This helps to secure the talents of different artistic directors who offer their own style of fun and artistic touch to keep the Cabaret Festival vibrant and fresh. Adelaide farewells Kate Ceberano this year and welcomes Barry Humphries as Artistic Director for the 2015 Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Humphries is loved for his alter egos Dame Edna Everage and Sir Les Patterson and enjoyed for his satirical wit. His appointment is exciting for audiences and his choice of cabaret artists is highly anticipated.

2014 Adelaide Cabaret Festival details:

Where:

Festival Theatre, Dunstan Playhouse, Space Theatre, Banquet Room, Artspace Gallery, Piano Bar, Lyrics Room, Her Majesty’s Theatre

When:

6-21 June 2014.

Tickets:

Price varies for each performance.

Book in person from the Adelaide Festival Centre Box Office and all BASS outlets. BASS at the Adelaide Festival Centre is open Mon-Fri 9:00am-6:00pm.

Book by telephone through BASS on 131 246
International bookings +61 8 8205 2300
Monday to Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm (CST)

Book online for individual shows via the ‘listed events pages’ button on any event page at http://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/adelaide-cabaret-festival/whats-on/

Please Note: A payment processing fee of 2.5% of the transaction value applies to all credit card transactions.

*All details are correct at the time of publishing.

Source:

Ceberano, K. (2014). Not Your Usual Suspects. Adelaide Festival Centre website.

http://www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/adelaide-cabaret-festival/news/listing/not-your-usual-suspects/ Accessed 5 June 2014.

2010 Adelaide Cabaret Festival – Fabulous Food

Cabaret Cuisine by Linh

The Adelaide Cabaret Festival treats all your senses, from the sights and sounds of the wonderful artists during performances, to the taste, smell and feel of the food stalls. Throughout the festival, crowds of hungry cabaret-lovers dined on local fare including something enchanting. For the first time, Churroz, the enchanting Spanish doughnut, made an appearance at the Cabaret Festival and has won over some fans with a sweet-tooth for sugary-chocolate-caramel dough sticks.


Image: Linh

Image: Linh


Chocolate-caramel Churros. Image: Linh



I bought a tub of Tempting Churros – there were three in a serve, topped with chocolate sauce and drizzled with caramel sauce, served hot. The churros tasted better than the ones I ate during my trip to Melbourne.

Image: Linh

Squid sensations. Image: Linh


For seafood lovers, Squid Inc., provides the juiciest squids and calamari rings flavoured with lemon pepper, garlic, salt and pepper. The food comes in a cardboard cone, with a choice of sauces including tartare, tomato, barbecue and chilli as extra flavour or for dipping. I poured mine onto a plate for easy access and quick consumption.


Go 'Beyond India' for the best curries. Image: Linh


On my final night of the Cabaret Festival, I could not resist some Indian delights, so I headed for Beyond India. The menu consisted of some favourite Indian fare, both meat and vegetarian. I had the Mixed Vegetable Korma, with white steamed rice and large papadum. The delicious meal tasted spicy, tangy and savoury all at once and was very filling.

Indian indulgence. Image: Linh


The seating at the dining area varied from plastic round tables for up to four people, to a cosy and intimate lounge setting with a fire stand to keep the winter chills away. I snared a spot on one of the soft, comfortable, red and gold-striped seats near the coffee table. Hopefully, the lounge setting will return for the next Cabaret festival, as it proved a popular meeting spot for cabaret audiences having post-show drinks and interval snacks between shows.

Comfortable cabaret couches. Image: Linh

The 2010 Adelaide Cabaret Festival – Poster Artwork

Fifty Foot Female by Linh









Throughout mythology, literature and films there have been numerous gendered monsters, from the masculine monsters like Dracula and King Kong to the fearsome females such as Medusa and the Wicked Witch of the West (from The Wizard of Oz). Another thought would be that monsters do not have genders but exhibit various characteristics stereotypical of either male or female.

It is with some curiosity that the 10th Adelaide Cabaret Festival poster features Mitzi in a parody of the character Nancy from the film Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman. The poster of the original 1958 film shows Nancy holding a car which may signify an overpowering or threat to male supremacy, but the Adelaide Cabaret Festival is more explicit with an actual man being held. A clever alteration to the artwork is the inclusion of the Adelaide Festival Centre, over which Mitzi stands in all her glory.

The main difference could be the message conveyed between the two posters. In the film poster for Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman, Nancy looks like she is on an angry rampage in the heart of the city, and according to the film’s story line, Nancy is seeking revenge on her cheating husband and the authorities (all male) who have falsely claimed she is mentally unstable.

The 2010 Adelaide Cabaret Festival poster shows Mitzi as more of a gigantic spectacle than a threat, who is hard to ignore and pleasing to the eye. This could reflect the Adelaide Cabaret Festival’s image as a fantastic event that must not be missed and is the biggest thing in town.

The 2010 Adelaide Cabaret Festival

Fab Cab Fest by Linh

This year marks ten years of fabulous cabaret and musical theatre fun and entertainment for the Festive State (South Australia). Artistic Director of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, David Campbell has again delivered the musical goods to attract some of the best and brightest talents to Adelaide. The gorgeous Natalie Cole, effervescent Caroline O’Connor, superb tenor David Hobson and zany comic pianist Mark Nadler are among the 250 artists, playing over 120 performances across 16 days.

All performers come from a range of musical backgrounds and experiences, yet they are all equally exciting and excellent. This year there are more local talent, after some criticism about last year’s internationally-renowned stars edging out local musicians.
Of course, David Campbell cannot take all the credit for organising the world’s biggest cabaret event, with hundreds of volunteers and Festival Centre staff putting in the long hours to make the 10th Adelaide Cabaret Festival the best yet.

Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2009

Last night, the 2009 Adelaide Cabaret Festival began with an impressive line-up of talent from Australia and overseas, showcasing some of their vocal vigour and comedic flair; with funnygirl Julia Morris, impressionist Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand and Adelaidean Hugh Sheridan from top rating TV series Packed To The Rafters, on stage to launch the night’s festivities.

The red carpet was rolled out as the celebrities rolled up; including Foxtel presenter Antonia Kidman (younger sister of Oscar winner Nicole Kidman) and comedienne and actress Magda Szubanski. Magda will be appearing in the new Aussie musical film Bran Nue Dae alongside Geoffrey Rush, Ernie Dingo and Australian Idol runner up Jessica Mauboy, which will screen at the Melbourne International Film Festival in August.

The Adelaide Cabaret Festival has undergone a few changes in 2009, and it's all the more exciting for audiences and performers.

Firstly, we say a fond farewell to former Adelaide Cabaret Festival director Julia Holt and welcome new (but local and loved) successor David Campbell – son of Adelaide’s own Jimmy Barnes (of rock band Cold Chisel).


CIAO MEOW: Cabaret Cat image at the 2005 Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
Image: Flickr.



Secondly, we say goodbye to the cool cabaret cats after nine wonderful years (it’s said cats have nine lives?) and introduce a stunning redhead (who bears a remarkable resemblance to Hollywood actress Rita Hayworth) as the new face of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.


CABARET CHARM: The new face of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival for 2009.
Image: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au



RAVISHING REDHEAD: Actress Rita Hayworth.
Image: http://www.allstarpics.net/pic-gallery/rita-hayworth-pics.htm


It’s sure to be another successful cabaret festival for Adelaide and there’s definitely something for everyone’s musical and comedy taste, including blues, soul, jazz, musical theatre, pop and rock.

Cabaret Festival - Licence To Thrill; concert

'Spicks and Specks' regular Alan Brough (pictured) presents 'Licence To Thrill: The Scores of James Bond'. James Bond certainly scored not only with film-goers but also with the beautiful women onscreen. Alan possesses extensive knowledge and trivia on pop culture and shares the stage with three Bond-Shells Wendy Stapleton, Kaye Tuckerman and Monique Montez.

Thrill Seeker by Linh

Alan Brough is a 6'4" New Zealander who's been a James Bond fan since he was ten years of age. An affable and well-suited human encyclopaedia of music trivia, Alan shares his experiences as a youthful and enthusiastic Bond fan. Everything from eating, drinking and smoking like James Bond is revealed and one can appreciate the influence of Bond on the previous and future generations of film-goers.

Backed up by the 'Cat Scratch Band' under the baton of Musical Director John Thorn, the delectable Bond Beauties deliver songs of the Bond films with energetic and exhilirating panache.

Actress and singer Wendy Stapleton has the strongest and most seductive voice of the trio, giving a passionate and smooth rendition of From Russia With Love, and hits the mark in Nobody Does It Better with her breathy velvety vocals.

Sultry siren Kaye Tuckerman combines sassiness and sophistication in The Man With The Golden Gun, then exudes her feisty flair for fun with Mr Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

Brilliant belter and young performer Monique Montez shows poise and vocal assurance with For Your Eyes Only , and tackles Thunderball with impressive vocal expression and power.

Individually the Bond-Shells sparkle and shine, but as a trio they display vocal fireworks in their Bond medleys.

'Licence To Thrill: The Scores Of James Bond' celebrates a night of Bond music and memories to satisfy the fans and lovers of action/suspense films, and pays homage to the theme songs that have touched our hearts and permeated our lives.

Cabaret Festival - The Soubrettes; comedy

In comic opera, the soubrettes are the minor roles of chambermaids and servants, yet Tanya Kyriakou and Alice Carter show star quality as leading ladies in 'The Soubrettes'.

Fantastic Femmes by Linh

The sirens of satire and comedic chaos are back with a new set of songs and stories for this year's Cabaret Festival.

'The Soubrettes' are accompanied by the dashing William Poskitt on piano as they take the audience through an hour of lethal laughs and flirtatious fun.

Tanya Kyriakou plays the demure and dangerous brunette whose rendition of It's Not Easy Being Greek pokes fun at her ethnicity with a touch of poignancy.

Alice Carter shines as the bubbly blonde showing vocal diversity in You'll Do about being desperate to love any man who proposes.

The dynamic divas displayed glorious harmonising in the rebellious song I Wanna Be A Drug Addict and had the audience in fits of laughter with the anti-feminist anthem I Want A Man where Alice played keyboard with her stiletto heels.

Amidst a flurry of frock changes and wigs, the flirtatious pair warmed up the intimate Artspace venue with their bitchy banter, friendly audience participation and wickedly scathing commentaries on current issues and fashion trends.

Take care of your ticker while you watch 'The Soubrettes', as the lovely ladies may steal your heart with their comic charms and charisma.

Cabaret Festival - High Tea With Ida Barr; comedy

UK comedian, writer and musician Christopher Green returns as a familiar Cabaret Festival favourite to share more raunchy rhymes and hilarious anecdotes of the golden days at London's music hall in High Tea With Ida Barr.

More Than Tea And Scones by Linh

Following last year's successful Bingo shows, Miss Ida Barr invites Adelaideans to a free tea session flavoured with gangsta rap and hip hop numbers.

The Lyrics Lounge was full to capacity as crowds queued at the doors, while it was standing room only if you were lucky to get inside.

High Tea With Ida Barr is more than a leisurely sit-down-and-chat-over-tea experience, but a rigourous rapping and rhyming routine with Miss Ida Barr.

The veteran music hall pensioner shows she's still got the grooves to go with her moves as she struts onstage to original lyrics and music. You'll soon see that Ida's hip has enough hop to rival Missy Elliot and Beyonce!

Popular rap artists, Hollywood film actors and even local politics fail to escape the quick wit and lightning lips of Miss Ida Barr as she rocks through her rap medleys.

High Tea With Ida Barr shows how even seniors can get down and shake their groove thang along with the best of booty shakers. Miss Ida Barr reveals how 'bottoms up' is more than a drinking term, and even persuades you to do the 'Hokey Cokey'. However, it's also a fantastic opportunity for the talented Christopher Green to show how he can have fun in a frock while entertaining an excited Cabaret Festival crowd.