The Melbourne Cabaret Festival is delighted to announce the full program for its highly anticipated return from Tuesday 4 to Sunday 9 July 2023. Following the announcement of headliners Prinnie Stevens and the Kransky Sisters, another 12 shows complete the line-up in that kicks off with a Gala Opening Soiree on Tuesday, July 4 Emceed by Rachel Berger.
Featured in the Festival line-up are: Sun Rising: The Songs That Made Memphis, Jacqui Dark – Songs My Friends Taught Me, Matthew Hadgraft – Elton John Your Song, Chris Burgess and Arlon Faria – Tree Huggers: A Dharma Cabaret, Nikki Nouveau – Swingtime in Paris!, Nicky Kurta – The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, Alister Kingsley -Get it Together, Chelsea Heaney – Historians Call us Roommates, Tamara Kuldin Trio – High Tea Jazz, Trevor Jones Piano Bar, Anton Koritni – Australian Poetry on Piano, and Frankly – Ten Carat Cranium.
Performances take place in the Festival’s new home, the iconic art deco MEMO Music Hall in St Kilda, and the adjoining hidden gem upstairs in the St Kilda RSL, The Ruby Carter Lounge.
Producer Neville Sice said, “We’re bringing back the dazzle: it’s all about a new venue, new innovations and new acts – we’re a revitalised festival returning after a bruising three years. Since we announced the Festival’s return there has been enormous excitement about it. Our hand-picked smorgasbord of cabaret talent offers a huge variety of entertainment both on the main-stage splendour of MEMO Music Hall and in the elegant intimacy of the Ruby Carter Lounge.”
“The Festival’s return will introduce a host of new innovations to our program, including an indulgent afternoon high tea with Tamara Kuldin and jazz trio; a dance floor for the high energy Sun Rising band; and a reformatted launch event.“
Mr Sice added, “At our famous Opening Soiree, for the first time we’ll have you dancing the night away with three hand-picked acts from across the festival program, hosted by St Kilda icon and comedy genius Rachel Berger.”
On the night, Melbourne audiences will be introduced to Frankly – it’s synonymous with honesty, and when you hang out together that’s what to expect. Frankly will be followed by Matthew Hadgraft’s homage to the undisputed worldwide emperor of glam pop when he previews his festival show Elton John – Your Song. If you are not yet out of your seats, the final act will jet propel you onto the MEMO dance floor, the Sun Rising Band, play a selection of songs from their critically acclaimed show which pays homage to the birthplace of rock n roll and the greatest recording studio in music history: Sun Records in Memphis. Damon Smith, David Cosma and their seasoned band as they take the audience on a musical journey featuring iconic artists Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and more.
Tickets are selling fast, and audiences are advised to check the Cabaret Festival and MEMO Music Hall websites as extra performances are released.
Bookings: www.melbournecabaret.com or www.memomusichall.com.au
PERFORMANCES
Sun Rising: The Songs That Made Memphis
Come and celebrate the birthplace of rock n roll as Sun Rising: The Songs That Made Memphis, perform their critically acclaimed show at Melbourne Cabaret Festival.
Born from their passion for early rock and roll and blues music, Sun Rising: The Songs That Made Memphis, is the brainchild of Melbourne Musicians, Damon Smith and David Cosma. The show pays homage to the greatest recording studio in the history of music, Sun Records in Memphis and celebrates the songs and stories that pay tribute to the early music of Sun Records. Sun Rising features incredible musical performances, a brilliant narrative and stunning renditions of some of the world’s most loved music. Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, Barbara Pittman, Roy Orbison and many more, all started their careers at Sun Records under the watchful guidance of studio owner and producer, Sam Phillips. It truly is an incredible story!
It has toured Australia extensively, playing sold-out shows at performing arts centres and theatres as well as headlining several international renown festivals.
Wednesday 5 July, 6:30 pm
Songs my friends taught me
It’s not what we have in our lives but who we have in our lives that matters.
That one friend who knows you down to your bones, the one who drives you mad but you love them anyway, the one who drags you down when they should be lifting you up, the one who got you through the bad times, the one who WAS the bad times!
After a brutal year of surgery and chemotherapy, Jacqui Dark returns to the cabaret stage in a show co-created with Daryl Wallis and Sam Russell, to celebrate the friends who got her through.
With songs for the weirdos who have your back, who helped you bury the bodies, who lead you astray and back again, this show celebrates those who know all about you but love you anyway.
This show is for all of them.
Thursday 6 July, 6:30 pm
Elton John – Your Song
The songs of Elton John are like no other: they get the party started, they light up the karaoke stage and they turn any road trip into an all-out singalong.
Whether they were on vinyl at your parent’s house, a tape in the car, a CD you got one Christmas, AM radio or streaming online, we’ve assimilated these glamtacular songs and made them our own.
After critically acclaimed seasons in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, Matthew Hadgraft (Peter Allen: Live in Inverted Commas, The Boy from Oz, Cabaret, The Producers, Classy as all of Youse, HAM, The Road to Stockholm, ABBALive) returns to Melbourne Cabaret Festival with his celebrated cabaret production Elton John: Your Song.
It’s almost impossible to hear an Elton John song without singing along, dancing, or getting the words wrong. So Hadgraft has created the ultimate tribute where you, the audience, are invited and indeed encouraged to sing ‘em out loud and party hard.
Own Elton’s awesome songs by joining in from the get-go, singing the way they were meant to be sung loudly, as one, with reckless abandon.
Thursday 6 July, 8:15 pm
Tree Huggers: A Dharma Cabaret
The longest distance we all travel is the18 inches from the head down to the heart…
Let’s as strangers come together, for one night of soulful, splendid, curious cabaret and meet ourselves and each other on that journey. A new kind of cabaret that acknowledges vulnerability as the beating heart of meaningful and transformative storytelling. An artistic offering that abandons the protective mask most of us wear, and risks sharing from the heart.
Chris Burgess and Arlon Faria return to the cabaret stage with another award-winning contemplative performance featuring original songs alongside timeless covers. May this intimate evening of heartfelt and cheeky cabaret be a tonic for your restless mind, a balm for the burnt-out and burnt-up, and a gift to inspire the expired…
Friday 7 July, 6:30 pm
Swing time in Paris!
Paris is for lovers. Romance is for dreamers. Blooming in the Springtime. Dancing in the Swingtime!
Nikki Nouveau and her dynamic swing band explore the timeless allure of Paris in a compelling musical memoir, bringing to life the bygone era of French jazz and classic show tunes from the 1940s, 50s and 60s.
With her delicate vocals and sultry overtones, Nikki presents an uplifting extravaganza singing a rich repertoire from artists such as Cole Porter, Edith Piaf, Josephine Baker, Charles Trenet, Brigitte Bardot, along with her own original compositions in French and English.
Featuring acclaimed Melbourne musicians Mark Fitzgibbon (piano), Tony Hicks (saxophone), Jordan Tarento (double bass) and Aaron McCoullough (drums). An enchanting musical journey like no other!
Friday 7 July, 6:30 pm
Prinnie Stevens – ‘Lady Sings The Blues’
A story about women in song, their hurts, struggles, and pain.
The show features the songs of greats such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and iconic modern voices like Beyonce, Whitney and Sade. The audience will be transported to a speakeasy in New York and into the very heart of the star of the show Prinnie Stevens.
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 July 2023 8:15 pm
The Kransky Sisters – ‘Assorted Nuts’
A spicy mix of their hot hits.
This eccentric trio of siblings from Esk will share their nutty stories and songs, including well-known tunes with a peculiar spin, played on an eclectic mix of instruments including musical saw, tuba and old reed keyboard. The show promises to be a delightful if not disturbing experience.
Saturday 8 July 2023, 4:45 pm & 6:30 pm
The Marvelous Mrs Maisel
Step into the world of The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and experience the buzz of New York in the late 1950s at MEMO Music Hall for the Melbourne Cabaret Festival!
Singer-songwriter Nicky Kurta is performing your favourite songs from the Emmy Award-winning television series, including hits from Peggy Lee, Doris Day, Julie London, The Barry Sisters, Barbra Streisand, and more.
Nicky has worked as a vocalist with INXS, Olivia Newton-John, X Factor winner Dami Im and currently tours with James Reyne. She’s written for award-winning artists and her own single, Maybe Life Is reached number 8 on the Australian iTunes singer-songwriter chart.
Sunday 9 July, 6:30 pm
RUBY CARTER LOUNGE PERFORMANCES
Get it Together.
Alister Kingsley is a musical comedian, actor and organisationally challenged person in recovery.
In Get It Together he makes his return to the Melbourne Cabaret Festival with a show full of original comedy songs, after taking some time in his life to get it all together.
After a life of late notes and lost socks, Alister set aside the year of 2022 to take some responsibility onto his average-to-reasonably-sized shoulders. He’s got a girlfriend, he’s got a house, he’s got a shirt that doesn’t have any food stains on it. He’s a whole new man. But there are moments where things quickly unravel – that’s where the songs come in.
This is a show that laughs in the face of the delicate order of life and celebrates the love of chaos that can be found in us all. So, if things sometimes fall apart for you, come and laugh along at those moments when the facade of togetherness slips away to reveal the shambles that lie underneath. For who among us has it together 100% of the time?
‘Hopefully, I get some good reviews from this show. They would look great underneath the blurb.’ – Alister Kingsley
Wednesday 5 July, 7 pm
Chelsea Heaney – Historians Call Us Roommates
Nuns, Pirates and Spies, oh my!
Queer erasure has caused the removal, re-writing or overlooking of some of history’s most fascinating stories. Whether intentionally or unintentionally historians have a tendency to erase our stories, a phenomenon that has resulted in a lot of queer couples being described as “roommates” in the history books.
In this one-hour cabaret, comedian Chelsea Heaney explores centuries of queer stories of people you won’t believe you haven’t heard of or had no idea were queer! From polyamorous gothic queens to convent-burning nuns, there are many shades of gay to enjoy!
Thursday 6 July, 7 pm
High Tea Jazz with Tamar Kuldin Trio
Indulge in this de-lovely afternoon of melodies
Tamara Kuldin and her trio celebrate the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day and Frank Sinatra while enjoying your selection from an array of savoury, sweet, hot and cold high tea delicacies (approx.12 pieces pp). Accompanied by tea, coffee and a glass of bubbles, served at your lounge table.
“Sultry, sassy, cheeky – Tamara Kuldin is all that and much more. A jazz seductress with a honey-rich voice that soothes and captivates.” Australianjazz.net
Enamoured by the romance and sophistication of the golden era of song, Tamara has been captivating audiences from Melbourne to Europe with her own playful, sultry and heartfelt interpretation of songs from The Great American Songbook.
Saturday 8 July, 3 pm & Sunday 9 July, 3 pm
Australian Poetry on Piano
This show takes you on a journey through the country’s much-romanticised colonial and federation periods.
Anton Koritni celebrates the poets who were integral in creating a distinctively Australian cultural identity by transforming their classic verses into modern song. Not just bush ballads, other pieces explore themes of social satire, love, death, childish wonderment, and raucous boxing arenas!
Between songs, Anton shares his creative process and relates intriguing stories of the poets who inspired this opus.
Sunday 9 July 5.15 pm
Ten Carat Cranium
Are winter blues getting you down? Can’t get past those adolescent hang-ups? Feeling like a legally binding relationship will cement your self-worth? Never fear! Frankly is here!
Put down that smokey quartz and make your way to the chaotically healing cabaret of the season, hosted by a true therapy veteran! A night of poignant silliness, Frankly’s treatment plan will consist of filterless anecdotes, original music and one serious question: can your own insanity be your greatest teacher? If you’re thinking not…be convinced in this totally ridiculous and utterly joyful story of how one manic episode changed her life for the better! Who knows, maybe she’s the unhinged guru you’ve been waiting for!
Sunday 9 July 7 pm
Trevor Jones’ Piano Bar
Australia’s favourite piano man, Trevor Jones, returns to the Melbourne Cabaret Festival for what has become a festival tradition!
Singalong to your favourite songs by request. Anything is possible from Elton, Billy and Beyonce through to show tunes and standards.
Featuring a range of guest performers, you never know who will make a surprise appearance! Trevor performs all over Australia and the world, with residencies including The Butterfly Club Melbourne, DooBop Bar Brisbane, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Adelaide Fringe Festival, the World Busker’s Festival in New Zealand as well as headline performances on P&O Cruises. His unique blend of humour, song and irresistible charm guarantee a night you’ll remember for years to come.
Saturday 8 July, 8:30 pm & Sunday 9 July, 8:30 pm
