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.

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.

Loving Lloyd Webber; concert review

Adelaide's Swamp Fairy is an innovative theatre production company, staging musical and cabaret entertainment throughout South Australia.

'Loving Lloyd Webber' is Swamp Fairy's latest offering and following successful performances in regional South Australia, 'Loving Lloyd Webber' comes to Adelaide with Rosanne Hosking, Nic Lock and Rachel McCall providing all the favourites from Andrew Lloyd Webber's best musicals.

Fairy's Musical Magic by Linh

'Loving Lloyd Webber' is definitely for those who love musicals, particulary Andrew Lloyd Webber musical productions.

Staged in the intimate theatrette of The Annex at the Queen's Arms Hotel, 'Loving Lloyd Webber' showcases all the best and favourite musical songs from 'Phantom Of The Opera', 'Sunset Boulevard', 'Cats', 'Jesus Christ Superstar', 'Joseph And His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat', 'Evita' and 'Song And Dance'.

The cast of three talented Adelaide performers, provides an aural treat as they cover a spectrum of love songs, famous hits and popular duets, trios and solo performances.

Vocal tutor, producer and singer Rosanne Hosking is stunning in a sparkling red evening dress as she sways onstage and is in brilliant voice throughtout. Rosanne is moving and alluring with With One Look, is persuasive and emotional in Don't Cry For Me Argentina. Her heart wrenching performance of Tell Me On A Sunday is stirring.

Rachel McCall is glamourous in glittering white attire as she dances with Nic Lock in Music Of The Night, and provides wonderful backing vocals for Rosanne in Take That Look Off Your Face and Another Suitcase In Another Hall. Her duet with Nic Lock in All I Ask of You is a crowd favourite and her rendition of Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again displays her vocal versatility.

Singer Nic Lock shows diversity and vocal flexibility as he combines some comedy to his performance. The magnificence of his voice is evident in his vocal range tackling all the high notes in Music Of The Night with ease, he displays charm in Any Dream Will Do and adds some cheekiness to Sunset Boulevard.

Set as a mini-concert with recorded music backing, the trio of performers seem comfortable yet underprepared at times. It may be due to clothing mishaps, sound/technical inadequacies or the concert starting fifteen minutes late.

Despite the minor hitches, 'Loving Lloyd Webber' was enjoyable and encouraged audience members to sing along. With so many familiar songs, it was a feel good night of fun entertainment for lovers of musical theatre.

Everything's F*#ked; musical theatre review

LIFE'S F*#KED UP:Abbie Cardwell, Andre Eikmeier, Lisa Sontag and Alexander Jenkins in 'Everything's F*#ked - the musical'.Photo:Simon Cardwell.




From it's embryonic stages of grant applications and re-writes, writer and composer Sean Peter's 'Everything's F*#ked' has finally come to fruition.
It's a contemporary musical blending romance, comedy and life's complications with urban beats and glorious rock-fused harmonies.

The story tells of four twenty-something's sharing a house, whose lives are exposed as each experience personal turmoils, triumphs and tragedy.
The September 11 Twin Towers attack, the growing fear of Hepatitis C and the emergence of destructive computer viruses further heightens the tensions in the lives of Jack, Red, Adam and Belle, as they each discover although everything's f*#ked, it would still be all right in the end.

'Everything's F*#ked' is a co-production between Inspace and Autopilot Productions and runs until August 18 at the Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre Complex.


Fan-f*#king-tastic by Linh

From the beginning, audiences are warned throughout the song Disclaimer that 'Everything's F*#ked' contains adult themes, sex scenes, nudity, drug use and frequent coarse language, so anyone who's easily offended should leave. Fortunately, no-one did, otherwise they would've missed one of the best Australian rock musicals created.

Composer and writer Sean Peter cleverly wrote music that carried the drama with lyrics that exposed the characters' raw emotions. Every song added something interesting to the characters' situation and revealed their thoughts, fears and hopes.

The talented cast of four are brilliant in their roles, in a musical set during the Spring of 2001. It's 'Rent' the musical meets 'Friends' the television comedy series, as the four share laughs, tears and a home.

Actor and musician Andre Eikmeier plays the hot-headed Jack whose attempts to climb the corporate beanstalk lands him in hot water. Andre is convincing as the fast-talking and quick witted Jack, with a magnificent voice clearly emphasising his character's determination and persistence in Autopilot, while deftly displaying intense fury in Boom Baby Boom.

Adelaide singer, songwriter and actress Abbie Cardwell gives a brilliant performance as Jack's girlfriend Red (suitably nicknamed as she wears plenty of red coloured attire), who's dealing with pressures at work as well as an interfering mother and the death of her Nanna.
Abbie gives a moving delivery of Nan after Red hears of her Nanna's death, and shows poignancy and tenderness during Eulogy.

Rising musical theatre star Lisa Sontag portrays the vivacious couch-potato Belle, who takes sex calls while watching television. Lisa has an exceptional singing voice which is evident in the feel-good duet with Abbie, Good Things and is equally beguiling as Belle tells of her illness in Waiting For The Storm.

A lover of TV, pizza and beer, actor and singer Alexander Jenkins plays Adam, the highly intelligent computer geek with a crush on Belle. Adam even uses her name as his password and is constantly rescuing Jack from computer related disasters.
Alex gives a fine vocal and dramatic performance as Adam when leaving a message for Belle in Adam's Call, and shows a flirtatious side to Adam in Speedhump On The Superhighway.

Director Geoff Crowhurst succeeds in bringing together the actors' song numbers and action without dragging on scenes. He makes the most of Andrew Phillips' superbly designed set that's structured into levels and compartments depicting Jack's office, Red's workdesk, Adam's workspace, Red's bedroom and the loungeroom occupied by Belle.

Sean Peter's musical 'Everything's F*#ked' is thoroughly entertaining with enough thought provoking messages to discuss around the water cooler.

Blues In The Night; cabaret review

Sheldon Epps' 'Blues In The Night' is a cabaret production featuring a collection of some of the best blues standards ever written. There is no storyline, only four blues singers at different stages of their lives, who each share their stories through fabulous blues and soul ballads. The production is given extra sparkle with dancers adding movement and colour to some of the beautifully sung numbers.

'Blues In The Night' runs until August 11 at the Playford Civic Centre, Elizabeth.

Red Hot Blues by Linh

Northern Light Theatre Company presents a magical evening of blues and soul singing in Sheldon Epps' 'Blues In The Night'.

Featuring four of Adelaide's most talented singers, the cabaret production interweaves emotions and personal stories of three sisters which are interspersed by a male singer.

Musical theatre veteran and crowd favourite, Megan Humphries plays the role of The Lady From The Road, whose songs feature the hardships she's endured with love, misery and hope.
Megan shines as the parasol twirling and dancing damsel in the humourous number Take Me For A Buggy Ride , she gives a stirring performance in Lover Man, and delivers precise comedic timing in the hilarious song Kitchen Man.

Sultry and sexy singer Kira Marie Laverty portrays The Woman Of The World with a twinkle in her eye to match her character's cheeky grin. Kira's songs depict worldly wisdom from a woman who's been there and done that.
Kira exudes sex appeal in It Makes My Love Come Down, gives a beautiful rendition of Lush Life and provides laughs and cheers as she gracefully weaves her way amongst the males in the audience with the flirtatious song Rough And Ready Man.

Versatile vocalist and talented performer Michelle Pearson provides some showstopping moments in her role as The Girl With A Date.
Michelle is impressive as she sang while getting dressed and belting out Take A Chance On Love, she vividly expresses the emotional tenderness in the tearjerker ballad Willow Weep For Me, and is equally mesmerising in Reckless Blues.

The thorn among the roses, musical theatre performer Rod Schultz plays The Man In The Saloon with great gusto and comic flair.
Rod has the dual task of linking each of the women's ballads with his brief song and dance numbers, while belting out a few blues hits throughout.
Highlights from Rod include his wonderful velvety voiced version of Baby Doll, the smooth and suave delivery of Wild Women Don't Have The Blues and I'm Just A Lucky So-And So.

Other highlights include the ensemble numbers Take It Right Back, and the gorgeous harmonies of all four singers during Four Walls (Reprise).

Choreographer Kerreanne Sarti succeeds in ensuring all four dancers added visual interpretation to the songs' stories rather than overshadow the singers.

'Blues In The Night' is a relaxing and entertaining night of beautiful blues ballads to lift your spirits and keeps you humming long after you've left the theatre.