Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre for Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Reviewed 10 June 2019
Australian stage legend Philip Quast started his career on the stage at the Dunstan Playhouse playing the very naked Adam in the Wakefield Mystery Plays, so this cabaret which recounts his 40 years as a professional since then, was particularly special when performed on that very same stage.
This emotional journey is a mix of sometimes unusual and often unpredictable song selections starting with Gypsy Rover (or Whistling Gypsy) by Leo Maguire, followed by the soft and sentimental I Like Old People by Danny Kaye and That Lucky Old Sun by Beasley Smith and Haven Gillespie.
Quast is accompanied by multi-talented pianist Anne-Maree McDonald who beautifully supports with impeccable playing.
Recounting his 17 years on Australian television show Playschool, Quast sings the opening theme song and even manages to get the entire audience up and doing the Wiggerly Woo, not once, but twice! The silliness is appreciated by the crowd; however, the main drawcard of this cabaret is his beautiful baritone voice! When Quast sings the audience falls silent.
Highlights included a Rogers and Hammerstein medley of My Boy Bill from Carousel, Some Enchanted Evening from South Pacific and Hello Young Lovers from The King and I. Although some song selections were surprising Quast did not disappoint his fans, saving Stars from Les Miserables as one of his last numbers which received a standing ovation.
Philip Quast – UNCUT showcases an amazing voice and some beautiful piano playing but it is also sentimental, funny and oozing with charm, making it easy to see why Quast has enjoyed such a long and diverse performing career in Australia, on Broadway and the West End.
Rating out of 5: 4.5 stars
Reviewed by Ceri Hutton
Twitter: @ceri_hutton
One Performance Only – season ended
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