How do you choose favourites from a present that’s all highlights from begin to end?
Adelaide Cabaret Competition’s Selection Gala is at all times a sizzling ticket. The sell-out present is a enjoyable approach for audiences to pattern what’s on provide and select the artists they’d prefer to see extra of.
Selection Gala host Virginia Homosexual was in nice kind. Picture: Kelly Carpenter
Because of the range of this system, one would possibly count on it might be troublesome to wrangle the gala picks into one cohesive providing. In 2023, nevertheless, they nailed it. The night was faultless, from Isaac Hannam’s evocative Welcome to Nation to the closing medley of songs with a connection to South Australia – a powerhouse association that received everybody singing and left us all on a excessive (however extra on that later).
Underneath Mitchell Butel’s route, the gala unfolded inside a two-act construction that enabled the viewers to get to know featured performers and among the members of the Cabaret Collective (all former pageant inventive administrators) who curated this yr’s line-up.
It was an impressed transfer. All through the present, expertly hosted by Virginia Homosexual, Collective members Julia Holt, David Campbell and Lisa Campbell, Kate Ceberano, Eddie Good, Ali McGregor and Julia Zemiro shared reminiscences of their previous stints on the helm of the pageant, carried out, and launched different acts. The pageant’s historical past was entrance and centre, with posters from earlier years suspended above the band.
Homosexual gave us the outdated razzle dazzle to kick off the night time and saved the present on observe with wit, allure and a knockout voice. First up was Paris Combo with a quantity from their present, A Celebration of the Songs of Belle du Berry. Vocalist Carmen Maria Vega and accompanying band members have been the right alternative as opener, serving up a smoky, sultry mix of gypsy jazz and traditional cabaret fashion.
The massive performances saved coming all night time, from Kate Ceberano’s majestic hit track “Courageous”, to Eddie Good’s witty, fast-paced evisceration of arts critics through a track from an upcoming work, to The Voice Australia star Thndo, with Dreamgirls energy ballad “I Am Altering”. Ali McGregor’s spine-tingling rendition of Radiohead’s “Creep” confirmed off her operatic expertise and unimaginable vocal vary.
Ali McGregor showcased her unimaginable vocal vary with “Creep”. Picture: Kelly Carpenter
Mark Trevorrow (with Bev Kennedy on piano) revealed his “straight” facet with a beautiful efficiency of Hal David and Burt Bacharach’s “Alfie”. There have been loads of laughs, too. Trevorrow reappeared later as Bob Downe with Anne “Willsy” Wills – the duo are internet hosting a return season of their dwell Adelaide Tonight exhibits after its success on the 2021 Cabaret Competition. UK performer Sarah-Louise Younger’s hysterical interpretation of a Kate Bush impersonator marked her as a probable pageant hit.
Hans, Adelaide’s beloved “German” entertainer, opened the second half of the present, again on stage with The Fortunate Bitches after a protracted absence following a critical harm sustained whereas acting on a cruise ship abroad. It was a triumphant return that was capped off by the announcement that Hans/Matt Gilbertson was the recipient of the 2023 Cabaret Icon award.
Members of the Cabaret Collective current Hans with the 2023 Cabaret Icon award. Picture: Kelly Carpenter
Ongoing pageant initiatives shared the highlight: Philimon Araya, Class of Cabaret participant from a number of years in the past, impressed with a joyous mash-up of “Child Be Mine” (Michael Jackson) and “Ethiopia” (Teddy Afro); Julia Zemiro reminded us of the legacy of Frank Ford, Cabaret Competition founder, and his ongoing assist of artists by means of the Frank Ford Fee.
Meow Meow’s tribute to her pricey pal, the late Barry Humphries, was perfection and really shifting, capturing their shared love of compositions of the Weimar interval. Vince Jones and Nina Ferro received underneath our pores and skin with their clean supply of the Frank Sinatra traditional.
Meow Meow performs a tribute to Barry Humphries. Picture: Kelly Carpenter
On this fiftieth birthday yr for the Adelaide Competition Centre, David Campbell’s finale (that includes Ali McGregor, Nina Ferro and Virginia Homosexual on back-up vocals) soared by means of excerpts from “Reminiscing” (Little River Band), “Choir” (Man Sebastian), “Low cost Wine” (Chilly Chisel), “As a result of I Love You” (Masters Apprentices) and “Chandelier” (Sia) – all with some hyperlink to SA and all receiving thunderous applause.
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This remaining efficiency gave one more hat tip to South Australia in a night that included many heartfelt mentions of the state’s contribution to fostering the humanities. Bravo to a night filled with vitality, emotion and spectacular expertise.
The 2023 Selection Gala was offered on the Competition Theatre on June 9 as a part of the Adelaide Cabaret Competition, which continues till June 24. See extra tales and evaluations on InReview’s Cabaret Competition web page.
The 2023 Selection Gala set paid tribute to the Cabaret Competition’s historical past. Picture: Kelly Carpenter
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