Audiences are invited to join the party and ‘bling it on’, with a programme led by Artistic Director (and award-winning Australian actor, writer, and personality) Virginia Gay which showcases world-class singers and storytellers through 77 performances over 12 nights, including 11 world premieres, 11 Australian exclusives, and 9 Adelaide premieres.
The Cabaret Festival features a collection of LGBTQIA+ artists and their phenomenal talents – here are just three huge acts to check out as part of the celebrations.
One
‘Sugar’. Theatrical, outrageous, silly and sexy, Tomáš Kantor’s award-winning debut is about ‘Sugar’ – a radiantly-beautiful gender-fluid twink who discovers that there’s money to be made from ‘transactional relationships’ (though their primary source of information is Julia Roberts in ‘Pretty Woman’). What could go wrong? Tomáš veritably shimmers with charisma, and reveals their talent not only as a storyteller, but a multi-instrumentalist and a superstar-in-the-making. Pop hits from Kylie to Chappell Roan pack this electric cabaret about luxury, power, and being paid to have sex on a grand piano.
Two
‘Primetime’. A New Australian Musical. It’s 2005. Everyone’s favourite (fictional) game show ‘Race Against The Clock!’ has been on air for 40 years. As the anniversary episode draws closer, the former prize models are unceremoniously thrown together, but a long-buried rigging scandal might be just the thing to encourage them to step out of the shadows. This high-energy, glitzy development showing, from writers Joseph Simons and award-winning Class of Cabaret alumna Millicent Sarre, continues Adelaide Cabaret Festival’s legacy of being the birthplace of new Australian musicals ('Shane Warne', 'FANGIRLS', and 'The Fig Tree').
Three
‘Carlotta’. The inspiration behind ‘Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert’, Australian icon, political activist, and living legend, Carlotta has led an extraordinary life. She hosted the legendary Les Girls in Kings Cross, was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia, and helped us launch the first ever Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2001. Still as fabulous as ever in her 81st year, Carlotta returns with a very special evening singing Peter Allen, Kander and Ebb, Stephen Sondheim and Barry Manilow. Good times, bum times, Australia’s most beloved showgirl has seen them all and my dear, she’s still here. Accompanied by a three-piece band, led by Helpmann Award winner Michael Griffiths.
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2025 is on from 5-21 June.
