Queensland Cabaret Festival is back for 2023, inviting theatre-goers to leave their comfort zone and step into a cabaret-inspired world of live music, storytelling, and inspiration.
The festival presents an intimate sphere of the brilliant, bright, beautiful and bewildering from the original metaverse – cabaret.
There are multiple venues to experience Cabfest at in 2023 as well. It all kicks off at Judith Wright Arts Centre.
Award-winning cabaret artist Karen Lee Roberts will have audiences discussing 'Sex & Other Philosophies' in a newly-devised contemporary trash cabaret featuring Lucinda Shaw and James Halloran. Then, it's time to gird your loins as Ruth Gardner delivers 'Nothing But The Ruth', a one-night-only joyride to a destination unknown.
Two Brisbane debut performances will take over The Judy too – the first from Logie and Helpmann Award-winner Jonathon Welch AM in a tribute to comedian and tenor Harry Secombe in 'I'm Just Wild About Harry'. Next, Queenie van de Zandt takes to the stage in her brand-new show 'Choose Your Own Adventure': part pub quiz, part TED Talk.
Cabaret heads to Metro Arts next.
The best of Brisbane is celebrated in a variety night of fun and frivolity with 'Brisbaret!'. Then, Daryl Murphy and his cast of crazed characters hit the stage in 'May Contain Traces Of Nuts', followed by an invitation by shadowy songstress Sarah Stockholm 'After Dark'.
'Kraftwerk ReKrafted'
Powerhouse performer Kristy Apps finishes off a weekend of cabaret at the venue as she shares her 'Story So Far'. Plus, Spanish electro-acoustic troubadour Sanfeliu unleashes his 'Loco Love Songs' and Josh Daveta and The Sequins make a return by popular demand with 'My Funny Valentine'.
In a finale as grand as it should be for Cabfest 2023, Megan Cooper asks 'What Would Dolly Do?' followed by Tyrone Noonan paying deep respects to Marvin Gaye with a seven-piece jazz/Latin/soul band Palimpsest in 'What's Going On'.
Then it's all aboard the Europe Express for some Fun Fun Fun on the Autobahn with 'Kraftwerk ReKrafted', an all-acoustic homage to the pioneers of electro pop featuring Alison St Ledger on vocals. Silver Sircus will take audiences on a journey into the darker reaches of the human soul, and a side show of the spirit.
The Festival Finale is celebrated through genre-defying musical magic with Leah Cotterell, who will be joined by Brisbane jazz musicians for 'Leah Hearts Pop'. Bringing it all to a climactic close will be a stellar concert by three-time Queensland Music Award winners MZAZA.
Queensland Cabaret Festival takes place from 24 March-16 April.
