Intoxicating, mesmerising and deeply moving — this show is going to be the next big thing in the Australian and international cabaret and theatre scene
Presented by: Green Door Theatre Company and Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed: 13 June, 2026
Over the years the Adelaide Cabaret Festival has programmed certain shows that stick in the minds and hearts of audiences for years to come. House of Rot: Grey Gardens is one of those shows that will linger for a long time in this reviewer’s mind. From what audiences witnessed at this new show’s first public performance, this show is going to be the next big thing in the Australian (and hopefully international) cabaret and theatre scene. It is simply incredible.
House of Rot is the creative brainchild of Dino Dimitriadis and Victoria Falconer. It is very loosely based on the 1975 documentary film that depicts the everyday lives of two reclusive women—a mother and daughter, both named Edith: ‘Big Edie’ and ‘Little Edie’. They lived in poverty in the neighbourhood of East Hampton, New York.
This work features two of Australia’s leading cabaret and theatre performers, Paul Capsis and Adam Noviello. Capsis is Australian theatre royalty and watching them perform and command the stage is a real masterclass. Noviello quickly became a performer to watch after their work in the most recent tour of Headwig and the Angry Inch. In this bold new work Capsis and Noviello are incredible in how they work together. It is intoxicating, mesmerising and deeply moving. House of Rot: Grey Gardens is cabaret and theatre at its absolute best.
Capsis is phenomenal to watch. Every move they make, every glance they give, the carefully placed dialogue and movement—it’s extremely well placed. Vocally, Capsis pours so much soul and character into their performance.
Noviello has a voice that you could listen to and never tire of. Their voice is stunning and their falsetto range is incredible. Like Capsis, their stage presence is magnetic.
Situated at the back of the stage is the musical genius Victoria Falconer, who provides the spine-tingling accompaniment for the show. The opener, a haunting arrangement of The Windmills of Your Mind, sets the tone for the show perfectly.
A real musical highlight came at the three-quarter mark: the duet between Capsis and Noviello. The song Zombie by The Cranberries and Send in the Clowns from A Little Night Music are not two pieces one would expect to find in a mashup, but this arrangement was a powerful meld.
Due to venue restrictions, House of Rot: Grey Gardens was presented in Adelaide without a video element that was meant to accompany the show, but honestly, you could not tell. This bold, new, powerful piece of theatre is incredible. The show has only a limited run in Adelaide, but here’s hoping it isn’t too long before it returns.
Reviewed by Ben Stefanoff
Photo credit: Claudio Raschella
Venue: Space Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre
Season: ended
Duration: 1 hour
