CCs Adelaide Cabaret Festival Wrap Up #1

First taste of the Cabaret Festival tonight.

At 6.30 I saw Ali McGregor in Jazz Cigarette - a blend of Gershwin/Porter et al jazz standards and some jazzed up versions of pop: Eurythmics Sweet Dreams, Britney, Justin T Cry me A River with the jazz classic of the same name, plus most amazing vocals on Prince's Nikki. I am always wary of opera singers 'doing jazz' and most of her versions were pretty standard. She has a great voice and had a hot trio behind her, and is charming - sometimes I wanted more 'her' in the songs, but she seemed to loosen up as the night went on. Ali was strongest in numbers like So In Love, and the few times when she floated at the top of her voice, and blew me away with her vocal stratosphere notes at the end of Nikki.

Second tonight was DUEL, the cello/piano duo. This was one of the most amazing, funny, talent-loaded shows I have seen in years - these two sing, play other instruments including didgeridu and melodica, as well as perform classic precision physical comedy - I laughed out loud through most of it, and sat marvelling at their musical skills. They are kind of extremely high class Vaudeville! If you can get to see them (only one more show Sun 7th at 5pm), anywhere in the world, GO!! They are also one of the only European style acts at this Cabaret Festival.

After these shows, I got caught up in the throng at Stage Door waiting for Dame Bernadette to come out - I got cold so I left - I wonder if she went out to meet them! There was a huge queue to get into the Club so I went home. First impressions: great atmosphere, good houses. Does Adelaide just embrace this Festival no matter what? My concerns: severe lack of headlining (and even smaller) acts from Adelaide (and some interstate acts that aren't necessarily better - all the Govt money comes from SA); homogenous program - lots of fairly similar-style acts, and many that are bands or band-type shows.

Excitements: Bernadette, Robyn Archer, Grace Knight, Lilias White, Julie Wilson, Janet Klein. Weird inclusions (and DC said the last 2 Cab Fests were 'Fringy') include 'Every Movie Ever Made'...well, let's see - it is an exciting time.

CC