Presented by Michael Griffiths
Reviewed 18 February 2016
Adelaide darling Michael Griffiths revives his 2015 Adelaide Cabaret Festival tribute to Cole Porter on a more intimate scale for the Adelaide Fringe.
Hobbling on stage with a walking stick, resplendent with a pink carnation and a bow tie, Griffiths embodies Cole Porter from the start, telling amusing tales of his life between many of his most popular songs.
He speaks directly to the audience, embracing and welcoming them into his dreamy sojourn down memory lane.
Griffiths’ voice is simply made for Porter songs as he croons Miss Otis Regrets, What Is This Thing Called Love?, You’re the Top, Love for Sale and Let’s Do It, amongst many other classic tunes that are still much loved today.
The stories of life and love are both personal and personable, and Griffiths’ cheeky smile adds to the well-mannered charm of the whole cabaret. Written by fellow Adelaidian Anna Goldsworthy, this is a smooth hour that reveals many little-known facts to the casual Porter fan.
American composer and lyricist Cole Porter was at the height of his career in the 1920s and ‘30s, penning Broadway hits that included Let’s Misbehave and, later, Kiss Me Kate – both which are still revived regularly for the stage. He also wrote scores of songs that became unintentional hits, making him one of the well-to-do elite.
Porter’s style, humor and success must have got under Griffiths’ skin because he has embraced this very personal history lesson with great success and sophistication. I caught the show when it premiered at the Cabaret Festival mid-last year and enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
Michael Griffiths – you’re the top, so to speak…
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Rating (out of 5): 4
Venue: Le Cascadeur, Garden of Unearthly Delights, Rundle Park, Adelaide
Season: until 13 March 2016
Duration: 1 hour
Tickets: $25 – $30
Bookings: Book through FringeTix online or at a FringeTix box office (booking fees apply)
- Fringe website
- Michael Griffiths’ website
- Anna Goldsworthy’s website
- Garden of Unearthly Delights website
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