Presented by Annie Siegmann
Reviewed Tuesday 22nd November 2011
http://tix.feast.org.au/ticketing/EventDetails.aspx?EventGuid=d1e3742e-6218-45db-b24a-183415a358db
Venue: The Lounge, Feast Hub, Light Square, Adelaide
Season: one night only
Duration: 1hr
Annie Siegmann, who you may also know is the bassist with Bird Wizdom, presented this cabaret show during the Cabaret Fringe and she has brought it back for this one performance. It is a pity that it was only for one night but, having been unable to get to the Cabaret Fringe performance, I made sure to attend this time as I had heard nothing but positive responses to the earlier shows, and I was glad that I did. So were the many others packed into the 130 seat venue, with laughter and applause abounding.
Siegmann presents a well balanced selection of her songs, from the sad and poignant to the wildly hilarious, all backed by a very fine trio of musicians. Alex Wignall, a wizard on keyboard, Brett Williams, subtly driving on bass, and Ellen Mitchell, a very sensitive exponent of the instrument on drums, with a little help with the arrangements by Sam Leske, meant that the backing was good enough to stand on its own. Siegmann added further colour to the orchestration occasionally with her ukulele, which she played with great skill, and she included a few numbers self-accompanied by just her ukulele, adding another variation to the performance.
One cannot help seeing in Siegmann a young successor to the likes of great cabaret songwriter/performers such as Dillie Keane (the leader of Fascinating Aida) and Victoria Wood. Her songs draw on her own experiences and tell of so many things, from the everyday to the highly quirky. She sings of the only person who ever broke her heart, her very strange stalker, the girl whom she wants to stalk, her failures in trying to pick up girls, an array of obscure facts that she discovered in a most unlikely location, and much more. Her lyrics are inventive and imaginative, catching and holding the attention of the audience with all the skill of a seasoned professional of far greater years.
Siegmann has what it takes to be a big success in cabaret, and her formal musical training, she is studying for a Bachelor of Music degree at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, provides a solid foundation for her performance, setting her far apart from the average singer/songwriters who show little imagination or variation in the songs. Every number is distinctly different, and thoroughly captivating. They are, of course, enhanced by her remarkably rich and expressive voice
She is a bundle of energy and talent and has a wonderfully inviting stage persona that endears her to her audience. She also has a good understanding of how to keep the audience involved between songs, with some informative, as well as amusing introductions. The hour last night seemed to fly past and she left the audience wanting more, even after an encore. Time for her to start making CDs, methinks, so people have something to take home to listen to while waiting for the next appearance.
Watch out for any further performances which, hopefully, will be soon and many, and make sure that you book early, as her shows sell out.
Reviewed by Barry Lenny, Arts Editor, Glam Adelaide.
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