By Peter Maddern
The farewells for Kate Ceberano , at the end of her three year stint as the Cab Fest’s Artistic Director, began in earnest last night with the always popular and upbeat Variety Gala. The evening opened with the red carpet parade of celebrities and performers in the foyer and ended with 100 performers spilling out, Ceberano upfront, into the Winter Garden, much to the bemusement of the Beyond India staff.
In between Todd McKenny dizzled and dazzled front of house (with the seven member Horns of Leroy seemingly stalking McKenny’s every move) and the engaging Amelia Ryan chimed in from the wings as the 20 or so performers strutted their stuff.
Rhonda Burchmore
Based on last night’s snippets, those choosing their preferred shows now should look closely at our own diva, the Barbie legged Rhonda Burchmore who delivered a seductive montage before receiving her Festival Icon of Cabaret award. The four Swing on This boys seemed in good form and Caroline Nin spun her own Edith Piaf tribute while Kim Smith is back and seems well prepared to deliver another captivating and saucy Weimar style show.
Europe legend Sven Ratzke gave an inkling into show with a Bertold Brecht all about, well sex. Meanwhile Ali McGregor shared the stage with some flaying and swinging children and the extra prominence being given this year to the Class of Cabaret was highlighted when they joined in the chorus for the finale of the (surprisingly) diminutive Melanie Safka and her much more burly son, Beau.
The Adelaide Cabaret Festival warms the town’s winter hearts and minds like no other and 2014 looks like being no exception to the cracking pace that has been set in recent years for the event.
Kryztoff Rating 3.5K
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