The chaos and heartbreak of love in your forties
Presented by: Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed: 5 June 2026
The average person going through a divorce might hit the town for drinks with the girls, maybe take up yoga or even spend a little time with their therapist. Em Rusciano has chosen to work through her latest trauma through her new cabaret show, Addicted to Love.
On the Dunstan Playhouse stage, decked out in roses, love hearts and all-things-romantic, Rusciano is an image of a fabulous woman scorned. She is looking “ripped” (her own words) and full of chaotic energy, flouncing and flopping around the stage in a skimpy leotard with a fabulous rose cape, heels and hair extensions from a poor Polish girl.
For the uninitiated, Rusciano first became a household name on the second season of Australian Idol, but other than maintaining her killer vocals, her act has evolved to far more than this. She is writer, singer, stand-up comedian and podcaster, with a huge social media following, primarily made up of the girls and gays. So it’s no surprise that her opening night at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival was a sell-out.
The majority of this show is stand-up comedy, taking the audience through life as a recently separated woman. From dating disasters to the hurt and rage of a relationship breakdown, Rusciano is always self-deprecating, unflinching and trying to navigate what it is to be a single woman in your forties. At times going to levels of blind rage and man-hating, others achingly vulnerable and reflective. On the whole, the storytelling is fun, but chaotic in an endearing way.
But this is Cabaret, so of course a few songs are expected. Emphasis on the few. Four numbers are scattered amongst the 90+ minute set, supported by a fantastically patient 6-piece band (including Rusciano’s own father… a man with a stronger mettle than most). The Alanis Morissette mashup was a particular highlight.
While Rusciano might be empowered by her J-Lo moment, this diva’s show is erratic and probably will settle as time goes on, but allowing everyone to collectively scream into the void in a more stylish form of therapy is quite cathartic. Bonus points to any and all of the straight men who come along and have thick enough skin to bear the anger and hurt railed against their entire gender; but Em Rusciano would probably still give them a crack on Hinge.
Reviewed by Hayley Horton
Photo credit: Claudio Raschella
Venue: Dunstan Playhouse
Season: 5 – 7 June 2026
Duration: 90 minutes
Tickets: $89 – $99 (plus booking fee)
Bookings: https://cabaret.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/whats-on/em-rusciano-addicted-to-love
