Posts

Primetime The Musical → Adelaide Cabaret Festival

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  It’s a rare thrill to witness something you know is going to become a powerful piece of theatre, to be able to say, “I saw its first-ever performance!” That’s exactly what Primetime: The Musical is destined for. Developed in South Australia by the incredible Millicent Sarre and Joseph Simons, Primetime had its first development showing as part of the 2025 Adelaide Cabaret Festival-  and what a debut it was. This was my first time seeing a show at such an early stage, though I use the term “early” loosely, because it was far more than just “the bones” of a musical. This refreshing story centering around Australian women is bursting with vitality, and left the audience totally invested without even having seen the show in full.  Set in 2005 on the set of Australian hit TV game show Race Against The Cock! , the musical follows a new prizemodel who joins the long legacy of women hired to stand and look pretty. When an anniversary episode brings all the previous prizemodels ...

Tired Ass Showgirls → Adelaide Cabaret Festival

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Nope, this isn’t the ‘Wicked: For Good’ press tour, this is ‘Tired Ass Showgirls,’ a high-camp cabaret by an even better pink-and-green singing duo- Sean Miley Moore and Brendan de la Hay!  Created & written by Sean, Brendan and Jared Jekyll in conjunction with Hayes Theatre CO, ‘Tired Ass Showgirls’ is a glorious celebration of the careers of two of Australia’s most-loved performers. The show is a homage to the hustle of showgirl life on and off the stage, so it's no wonder they’re “tired!” Sean and Brendan lean into this narrative, only to give the most impressively entertaining hour of cabaret I have ever witnessed.  These two on stage are a combustible combination of charisma, talent and cheek. For. Real. All the details, from their song choices and costumes, to their crowdwork and their slick band made for a knock-out cabaret comedy. Glancing around the crowd last night, I noticed nothing but beaming smiles, which affirms the power of these two to shower you with show...

Frankly’s Doom Box → Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival

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Claiming, with delightful accuracy, to be “Adelaide’s best unknown export,” Frankly returns to her hometown for this year’s Cabaret Fringe Festival with Doom Box , a chaotic, charming hour of cabaret that’s perfectly unhinged! On Tuesday night at The Howling Owl, we were welcomed into Frankly’s realm: just her, a mic, a keyboard, and a madcap mind full of biting wit and musical mischief. With a voice that instantly impresses and original songs that take unexpected, hilarious turns, it’s clear that Frankly’s brand of cabaret is completely her own. She’s nutty in the best way- wild-eyed, quick-tongued, and gloriously unpredictable. You’re laughing before you even fully register what she’s said. One moment you're admiring her vocal control and piano chops, the next you’re jaw-dropped and bursting out laughing at a lyric about getting banned from Kilburn Savers (and you’ll have to see the show to find out why!). Frankly’s set list roams freely, from childhood memories of befriending th...

La Cage au Folles → Metropolitan Musical Theatre Company of SA

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Friday night in Saint-Tropez!  Ticked off another musical in the theatre cannon that I haven't seen before - La Cage au Folles! Based on Jean Poiret’s 1973 French Play, this musical adaptation first premiered on Broadway in 1983. Breaking ground at the time for LBGTQ+ representation in musical theatre, the show is a joyful celebration of uniqueness, love and acceptance. Georges, the owner of a drag nightclub in Saint-Tropez, and his partner Albin, the star performer who appears as the glamorous Zaza, are sent into turmoil when George’s son announces his engagement to the daughter of a conservative politician. Ordered to keep up a more “respectable” appearance for his future in-laws, Georges attempts to hide their unconventional family life, including Albin. Chaos and confusion ensue, culminating in an uplifting resolution about staying true to oneself.  Michael Bates as Albin and Daniel Flemming as Georges were a delight to watch, their hilarious banter was balanced with a com...

Into the Woods → Elder Conservatorium of Musical Theatre

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  Ventured Into the Woods last night!  Congratulations to the 2025 cohort of the Adelaide University Elder Conservatorium of Musical Theatre for a delightful first production for the year!  Into the Woods subverts the idea of “happily ever after” by weaving together classic fairytales into a tale of intertwined conflicts and consequences. It begins as a humorous exploration of the classic fairytale tropes, into a deeper questioning of the true morals of these stories.  In an exciting new approach, ECMT’s adaption was set in Australian suburbia, which was a clever way to spark initial intrigue and also many laughs within the audience - especially when the esky-cow appeared! The cast entertainingly played into some nostalgic Aussie stereotypes through their modern reinvention of these classic characters, which was refreshing to watch!  A show with a Stephen Sondheim score is no easy feat, but Saturday night’s cohort proved they have the vocal talent to execute his...

Guys & Dolls → Handa Opera Sydney Harbour

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How often is it that you get to witness a musical from the Golden Age of Broadway, on the Sydney Harbour, with a cast as incredible as this?! As an Adelaidian, this was honestly such a uniquely special theatre experience that I'll never forget.  Guys & Dolls is a classic Broadway musical that follows the romantic and comedic exploits of two couples in 1950s New York City. Gambler Nathan Detroit runs an underground crap game while avoiding marriage to his long-suffering fiancée, Adelaide, while fellow gambler Sky Masterson unexpectedly falls for mission worker Sarah Brown. Bets are made and romance blooms in a charming tale of love and chance.  With a stage and set as grandeur as this, you need a larger than life ensemble to fill it, and this cast absolutely delivered. It was a treat to see the incredible ensemble nail Kelly Abbey’s classic broadway jazz choreography with style and charm. Up close, you could see the pure joy they must’ve been feeling dancing together. ‘Luck...

MJ The Musical → Sydney Lyric Theatre

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  I was so damn excited to see MJ! I knew the music was gonna hit, I knew the dancing was gonna be elite, and since it is still very fresh off Broadway, I knew that it was gonna be visually and technically spectacular! (I was right!) 🤩 MJ the Musical follows Michael’s preparation for his 1992 ‘Dangerous’ Tour. It double as a biographical musical with flashbacks to some of the most influential and infamous moments of his career, with a particular focus on his relationship with his father, Joseph. On Sunday evening we had Ilario  @ilariolavon  as MJ who absolutely embodied the King of Pop. In the show, MJ grapples with the legacy he’s building, and Ilario gave an incredible performance that captured MJ’s brilliance, burdens and his unstoppable ambition! In between, every musical number hits like a live concert - each song stands as its own spectacle through the choreography and visuals. The ensemble are electric, channeling MJ’s iconic moves and videos with a fresh energy....