Living legend Carlotta is still going strong at 78 in her final appearance in Adelaide before retiring.
Presented by Michael Griffiths
Reviewed 19 February 2021
How does one review a living legend such as the glamorous Carlotta? At 78 years young, Carlotta still knows how to have the crowd eating out of her hand.
Carlotta is an Australian icon and an absolute living legend, and her current Adelaide Fringe show, Carlotta: I’m Not Dead Yet, Darlings!, takes the audience on a whirlwind journey through her extraordinary life.
Carlotta began her career as an original member of Sydney’s Kings Cross Les Girls cabaret show. Carlotta rose through the ranks of the show and eventually became the show’s compere and its most famous member. Carlotta’s gender reassignment surgery in the early 1970s was not the first procedure in Australia, but due to her celebrity status, it quickly drew publicity. Carlotta has always wanted to be a voice for those in the LGBTIQA+ community who don’t have a voice or can’t be heard, and deservedly so was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2020.
For those who have never seen Carlotta perform, nothing – and I mean nothing – is off limits or out of her reach. She is bold, she is brash, she is honest, and boy, does she tell it how it is. Throughout the evening, she interacted with the audience (from a COVID-safe distance) and weaved stories from her career in amongst quick comebacks and slap downs to hecklers in the audience. Whilst Carlotta may not be at her vocal prime any more, she still knows how to belt out a tune, and she drives plenty of emotion into a power ballad.
There was a moment of heartbreak amongst the audience early in the show, when Carlotta broke the news to her fans that this would be the last time Adelaide would see her in her famous one-woman show. After 60+ years of working in the entertainment industry, she will be retiring on her birthday later this year.
Carlotta is supported by her long-time friend and Musical Director, Adelaide’s own Michael Griffiths, and his band. Michael is showbiz royalty in his own right and accompanies Carlotta from the piano and with supporting vocals. It is clear there is a special bond between Carlotta and Michael after their many years of performing together. He knows her every move and is a huge support to her throughout the performance.
Carlotta: I’m Not Dead Yet, Darlings! is an hour of old-world entertainment that was very deserving of the two standing ovations the capacity audience gave. It might only be the start of the Adelaide Fringe, but this show is certain to stay with me as one of the highlights of what is on offer this year.
Do yourselves a favour and see this show – it’s not every day you can be up-close and personal with such an icon of Australia’s entertainment industry, in such an honest and unscripted way.
Reviewed by: Ben Stefanoff
Twitter: @theartsislife
Venue: The Chamber at THE QUEENS
Season: Feb 19 – 21
Duration: 1 hour
Tickets: From $35.00
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/carlotta-i-m-not-dead-yet-darlings-af2021
Rating out of 5: 5
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