Kate Ceberano serves up 480 artists and 180 performances over 16 days and nights in her final saucy and seriously fabulous lineup!
Hold on to your handcuffs – the Adelaide Cabaret Festival is finally here and the Cabaret criminals are on the run – headed straight for centre stage for this year’s spectacular opening night Variety Gala.
Under the banner Not Your Usual Suspects, Festival Artistic Director Kate Ceberano has cultivated a motley crew of artists, musicians, singers and comedians who’ll rattle the bars at the Gala night of nights tonight. Hosted by the always-entertaining Todd McKenney, this opening-night extravaganza is a tasting plate of the eclectic performances in store over the coming three weeks of naughty-but-nice entertainment.
As always, the Cabaret Festival boasts the biggest names in entertainment from around the globe with this year’s highlights including James Bond villain and crooner Robert Davi. The tough guy will reveal his soft side as he delivers the crooning songs of his mentor, the legendary Frank Sinatra. European cabaret superstar Sven Ratzke makes his Adelaide Cabaret Festival debut in Diva Diva’s, paying homage to 10 of the biggest divas of the 60s.
And the ladies of Cabaret at this year’s festival come with serious Cabaret clout, including legendary singer/songwriter Melanie Safka, French chanteuse Caroline Nin, Hollywood comic sensation Kathy Najimy and hailed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the greatest singers of all times, Darlene Love comes to town to deliver some serious soul food..
Adelaide Festival Centre CEO and Artistic Director Douglas Gautier says: “After months of meticulous planning Adelaide Cabaret Festival is finally here. Audiences are in for three weeks of outstanding performances from local, national and international stars of the highest calibre. Artistic Director Kate Ceberano has done a stellar job at the helm of this, her final festival ( for now), and we are thrilled to bring cabaret lovers yet another amazing lineup of talent here at the Adelaide Festival Centre.”
The Australian selection of stars also packs a punch this year, including musical theatre superstar Anthony Warlow who’ll kick off a national tour with Tony-Award winner Faith Prince in their show Direct From Broadway.
One not to miss is Cabaret megastar Paul Capsis in his outstanding one-man-show Little Bird. Co-presented by the State Theatre Company, this rich theatrical experience follows the journey of a young boy grappling with themes of love, self, gender and belonging. Little Bird is on for three weeks, 6-22 June, but make sure you get in quick as this will be a festival favourite.
And things will get saucy and sassy when Aussie favourite Rhonda Burchmore unleashes her Vinyl Viagra, featuring the sexy songs of stars such as Marlene Dietrich, Madonna, Cher and more.
For those who love their Cabaret with a touch of gossip, don’t miss Nelson Aspen in An Evening With Nelson Aspen -The Ultimate Schmooze in Song. Most famous for his fast-talking Hollywood gossip reports, this versatile entertainer is also a singer and stand-up comedian who promises an evening of surprises.
The multi-talented Eddie Perfect teams up with the guys from Tripod in Perfect Tripod: Australian Songs. And the big voices just keep on coming with shows by stars including Ali McGregor, Adelaide’s Carla Lippis, Beccy Cole, Rachael Beck, Colin Hay, Tim Campbell and many, many more.
The 2014 lineup features more than 480 artists in over 180 performances over 16 days and nights. 20 international shows from across the globe and the best from Australia with 40 Australian shows, containing 248 local South Australian performers. Showcasing 23 world premieres as well as a further 12 Australian premieres.
Tickets are selling well across the festival but there are still plenty of great seats available.
Heading up her final Cabaret Festival as Artistic Director Kate Ceberano says, “I have fulfilled my wish list of amazing artists to showcase at this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival. As I flick through the program I really do marvel at the number of amazing stars on show, as well as the depth of talent we’ve compiled in this incredible lineup. I feel confident that I am leaving a vibrant and relevant festival in the very capable and entertaining hands of Barry Humphries.”
It’s the Festival that just keeps on giving, repeat offenders are welcome!
Tickets are on sale through BASS online or phone 131 246 . Program details are available in the Adelaide Cabaret Festival brochure. Get one free by calling the Adelaide Cabaret Hotline on (08) 8216 8666 or go to adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au.
You can also download the free Adelaide Cabaret Festival App via the App store
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