TOPPING & BUTCH: TAKE IT UP THE OCTAVE!
Topping & Butch have played to audiences in the UK, Brazil, Singapore, Australia and the Czech Republic. They have had four consecutive sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Festival.
They bring a sharp, wry and sexy mix of topical politics and high camp to their shows creating an exciting, fast-moving experience for all audiences.
“cabaret at its absolute best” The Scotsman
Caos Café 188 Hindley Street West, Adelaide details: http://www.feast.org.au
see shows, then dance to the shuffle club at the Kool Kat Festival Club
The Adelaide Cabaret Festival is delighted to announce the cast for one of its “Nearly Ready!” works in development - The Beauty Spot, a hilarious new musical created by composer David W. Young. The Beauty Spot will be performed on Saturday 23 June at 2:30pm in the Dunstan Playhouse. “Nearly Ready!” is an ongoing series in the Adelaide Cabaret Festival which showcases new musical theatre shows, still in the development process, by Australian writers and composers. Performances are presented in a workshop format and provide a fascinating opportunity for anyone interested in the creative process to observe directors, writers and performers at work.
The Beauty Spot is a witty and fast-paced black comedy which satirises the myth of beauty, and the lengths that some people will go to in order to obtain it. The Beauty Spot is about Jane Fraser and her ambition to be on TV. Nothing will stop her: not blackmail, deceit nor the fact that she’s not beautiful. So off she goes to the salon The Beauty Spot and its three makeover magicians, ruled by the chauvinistic Gregg Griggs. Will “Plain Jane” become “Perfect Jana”? Or will her ugly ambition ruin the show?
Local opera stars Johanna Allen and Ben Rasheed will play the central characters of Jane and Gregg. The rest of the cast is comprised of equally talented local performers Cherie Boogaart, David Lampard, Melissa McCaig, Ian Muster and Libby O’Donovan. The Beauty Spot is directed by Darren Yap.
The Beauty Spot was short-listed for last year’s Pratt Prize for a New Musical Theatre Work and amassed rave reviews when staged as part of the Magnormos Music Theatre Readings Program in Melbourne last year.
All tickets are $25 and can be booked through BASS on 131 246 or www.bass.net.au
Highlights include New York darling Maude Maggart, kamikaze cabaret diva Meow Meow and local performer Libby O’Donovan in her solo show The Meredith Crocksley Project. Fans of James Bond will not want to miss the big band extravaganza that is Licence to Thrill – The Scores of James Bond, starring a talented line-up of vocalists and hosted by comic favourite and Bond fan, Alan Brough.
From the French performers, Isabelle Georges and Frédérik Steenbrink will present two more performances of Judy and Me on 20 and 21 June before beginning their new show, I Wish You Love, featuring the songs of Jacques Brel, Sondheim and others. French chanteuse Caroline Nin also returns with her premiere performance of Marlene, and jazz “femme fatale” Lisette, played by local performer Cat Lawrence, is backed by a swinging band of gypsy jokers in L’Amour or Less.
Also this week, Bob Downe presents Live and Swingin’, while political satirist Phil Scott fills the JB room with My Long Awaited Comeback. The “singing cobbler” Peter Brocklehurst will make his Adelaide debut, while old friends Neil Thomas and David Wells will converse on everything under the sun, using poetry, songs and narration as well as conversation in Mantalk. Music legend Mick Harvey is joined by some special guests to perform songs from his 2005 album One Man’s Treasure as well as his new release Two of Diamonds.
Adelaide’s Kim Spargo presents the music of Eva Cassidy in Eva; and from Britain, Ruth Rogers-Wright will channel the spirit and songs of Dr Nina Simone in Fabulous Diva. Finally, Lil’ Fi and Margret RoadKnight present a wide range of wild and sassy blues music in Tribute to the Blues Mamas.
The final day of the festival, on Saturday 23 June will include the premiere of new Australian musical The Beauty Spot, as well as the final masterclass, presented by Broadway star and leading interpreter of Gershwin’s music, Michael Feinstein, who will also take to the Festival Theatre stage in a stunning concert, backed by a big band, that evening.
For more information go to www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au
$10 Tickets for the Best of the Fest
With 40 shows having already sold out at this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival you may have missed out on seeing your favourite artist perform. But don’t despair… come along to the live broadcast of the ABC’s Radio National Live Music Show at 7.30pm tonight (Saturday 16 June) in the Dunstan Playhouse to see the best of the Festival.
The ABC Music Show’s Andrew Ford will host an entertaining evening of interviews and performances by the stars of the 2007 Adelaide Cabaret Festival, which will be aired live on ABC radio. And the best bit is, tickets are just $10!
Special guests will include:
With most of these artists having already sold out this could be your last chance to see them on stage at this year’s Festival. Tickets available from BASS on 131 246 or at www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au.
So it says on the cover of the guide to this years Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
While it doesn’t mention me explicitly, no doubt this comment was prompted by my inclusion in the programme .
“I’ve never been to New York City….” - SPINDICKLE
When I first received a call from the director of the festival, I was non commital ,saying that I did not do cabaret. I agreed to do it when they insisted they had a very loose definition of cabaret.
see the sista she show - tongue twisting hip hop with a big heart (and booty to match)
