Variety Gala Performance
\nFestival Theatre
\nJune 6.<\/p>\n
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2014
\nAdelaide Festival Centre
\nBookings BASS 131 246;
\nadelaidecabaretfestival.com.au
\nuntil June 21.<\/p>\n
In a flurry of feathers, finery and red carpet the 14th<\/sup> Adelaide Cabaret Festival has opened with its usual first night event, the Variety Gala Performance, but, outgoing Artistic Director, Kate Ceberano insists, \u201cit\u2019s not the usual suspects.\u201d<\/p>\n Perhaps that is a nod towards those who wonder what exactly \u201ccabaret\u201d is these days. Is it Weimar cafes ? The Black Cat club in Montmartre? Or is it tribute shows, veteran performers revisiting the fans, and young actors showing their triple threat ? The answer, looking at Ceberano\u2019s eclectic program, is all of the above.<\/p>\n Stepping from the ropes of her (slightly wacky) Famous Boxing Tent stage set, the vivacious Kate Ceberano crooned swan song verses from My Way<\/i> as she both opened the Gala and bade adieu to her third and final festival.<\/p>\n With thirteen acts to introduce, MC Todd McKenney, mixing charm and comic smarm, kept proceedings brisk. French chanteuse and Le Lido regular, Caroline Nin joined Australian-born Moulin Rouge and Lido performer, Shay Stafford for song and high kicks and Nin, a cabaret festival favourite, added a Piaf classic.<\/p>\n For a little Brecht and Weill, flamboyant Dutch singer Sven Ratzke sang a lumpy version of Alabama Song<\/i> and Australian talent, Kim Smith, now resident in New York, launched Pirate Jenny<\/i> \u2013 peerlessly, down to the last sinister whisper.<\/p>\n Many hit the pop catalogue \u2013 the versatile Ali McGregor, making cabaret with kids this time, bounced among some under-sevens singing Beyonce\u2019s Single Ladie<\/i>s. Lizzie Moore channeled the mysterious Minogue sister, Erin, with INXS\u2019s Never Tear Us Apart,<\/i> and Adelaide singer Carla Lippis sang a knockout big ballad version of Cher\u2019s Bang Bang<\/i>. Stylish vocal quartet, Swing on This \u2013 Michael Falzon, Matt Lee, Luke Kennedy and Ben Mingay – gave a new dawn, maybe even a new life, to Michael Buble\u2019s Feeling Good<\/i>.<\/p>\n The headliner, sixties and seventies singer-songwriter, Melanie Safka seemed flustered, almost accidentally finding a brand new key, as she sang her hit Lay<\/i> Down (Candles in the Wind<\/i>) but she steadied as she led the gala performers in an unlikely cabaret finale \u2013 Give Peace a Chance.<\/i><\/p>\n The Adelaide Art Orchestra, under the baton of Matthew Carey, were outstanding, and director Andy Packer brought together a great show on a tight schedule.<\/p>\n But it was Rhonda Burchmore, glorious in her red sequined tunic and hot pants \u2013 \u201cI\u2019ve put on my Barbie legs for you Adders !\u201d \u2013 who trumped the night with her non-twerking mashup featuring Miley Cyrus\u2019s Wrecking Ball<\/i>. No sooner had she finished and she was presented with the Festival\u2019s second Cabaret Icon award – to the delight of the audience and fellow performers.<\/p>\n Murray Bramwell<\/p>\n \u201cVariety adds spice to Ceberano\u2019s cabaret life\u201d, The Australian, June 9, 2014, p.16<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Variety Gala Performance Festival Theatre June 6. Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2014 Adelaide Festival Centre Bookings BASS 131 246; adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au until June 21. In a flurry of feathers, finery and red carpet the 14th Adelaide Cabaret Festival has opened with its usual first night event, the Variety Gala Performance, but, outgoing Artistic Director, Kate Ceberano insists, \u201cit\u2019s not the usual suspects.\u201d Perhaps that is a nod towards those who wonder what exactly \u201ccabaret\u201d is these days. Is it Weimar cafes ? 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