A showcase extravaganza that blends together musical, cabaret talent with the unpredictability of chaotic improv
Presented by: Michelle Brasier and Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Reviewed: 20 June 2025
Comedians on Stage Auditioning for Musicals is a blast of a cabaret comedy show that stars unique guest lineups of singers and comedians to create a new experience each show.
The show is hosted by the ‘divorced from each other three times’ Michelle Brasier and Ben Russell. Brasier and Russell have both starred in their own shows, Aunty Donna, and Thank God You’re Here. The improvisational style that connects the acts within Comedians on Stage Auditioning for Musicals draws upon the skills highlighted in such a show as Thank God You’re Here.
The show’s framing is that Brasier and Russell are auditioning performers who will star in the Wagga Wagga production of Cats. They entered with the air of theatrical class that quickly dived into the swift comedy current of the show. They both appeared on theme with Russell in a black turtleneck somehow matched with track pants while juxtaposed to Brasier’s full dress, which set up the contrast jokes around the expectation of men and women in performance spaces.
Once ready for the auditions the show welcomed the guest performers for a song of their selection while Brasier and Russell offered the live facial reactions and interjections on stage. It was a showcase of cabaret talent. The guests and hosts would banter with quick-witted jokes that would often drift away from the loosely established characters.
There was an aspect of the performers good heartedly tempting the others to break character through both incredible vocals and unique takes on songs, as well as in their comedic back and forth. While on one side humanising the performance with humorous slip ups, the performers also demonstrated their brilliant stage craft in not only returning to song and tune but moving the improv along and connecting it back to the audience.
On the review night, Trevor Jones’ performance of every character in Les Miserable and Aunty Donna’s Zachary Ruane’s mash up of Welcome to the Black Parade with Les Mis were standouts from the auditions with that crowd although there were strong elements from each performer.
Gillian Cosgriff on piano backed the majority of the performers and provided a direction for the improv as the one person on ‘staff’ of the Wagga Wagga Cats production. Her timing musically and for the comedy was a wonderful inclusion to the show and matched the talent that featured as part of the unique take of a showcase evening.
The Adelaide Cabaret Festival’s run of Comedians on Stage Auditioning for Musicals is again a sell out this year. Keep an eye on the festival’s website for ticketing updates.
Reviewed by Alex Dunkin
Photo credit: Claudio Raschella
Venue: Banquet Room, Adelaide Festival Centre, Kaurna Country.
Season: 20 – 21 June 2025
Duration: 60 mins
Tickets: $49 (plus booking fees)
Bookings: https://cabaret.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/michelle-brasiers-comedians-on-stage-auditioning-for-musicals
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