Caddy is one of Adelaide’s most experienced performers - this is a must see show
Presented by: Deborah Caddy
Reviewed: 28 May, 2023
Deborah Caddy is one of Adelaide’s most experienced performers, and this repeat season of her acclaimed cabaret Glamour & Song: The Songs of Pat Carroll and Olivia Newton-John is no exception when it comes to her penchant of storytelling.
Telling the story of Pat Carroll and Olivia “Livvy” Newton-John from Pat’s perspective, Caddy brings an immense amount of heart and soul to a story that is so rarely told; she does so much to bring the audience in, blending humour and song so smoothly you don’t even realise the underscoring has been running for minutes already!
Carroll’s story is one of peaks and troughs, of the beauty of motherhood, of the rise and fall of business, and of undying love and friendship. Caddy covers it all, but it never feels rushed, or too pacey or breakneck; the story is allowed to tell itself, through Caddy’s tight book or through song.
On the songs, Caddy hits the hits – from a stirring rendition of I Honestly Love You that left half the audience wiping away tears to the big Xanadu finale, where the emotion was so high that the audience spontaneously burst into song. The power Caddy had over that audience was palpable, and a commendation to her storytelling ability – the audience were with her from the get go, something not all character cabaret’s get so nearly right.
If you’ve got a passing interest in Australian musical history, a love of the music of “Livvy” Newton-John, or just a keen supporter of independent Australian artists, you’ve got to see this show. Unfortunately it was a single show as part of Adelaide Cabaret Fringe, but given this was already a return season, I’m sure it won’t be long until Deb/Pat graces the Adelaide stage again!
Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
Photo credit: Tim Bates
Venue: Nexus Arts
Season: Ended
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