Sydney will open its doors for cabaret to make a grand and cheeky entrance this coming July.
Celebrating Australian and International cabaret stars, the inaugural Sydney Cabaret Festival will bring many laughs and see jaws drop in anticipation of the many shows they have available from the 5-14 of July.
Welcoming many international stars alike Tony Award-winning Jennifer Holliday, New York darling Natalie Joy Johnson, UK's duo Frisky and Mannish down to Alison Jiear, the festival will have it all including local legends Phil Scott and Jonathan Biggins.
Festival Artistic Director Trevor Ashley is thrilled with the programme line-up he assembled. “As a confused child growing up I discovered this incredible art form that celebrated unique personalities, and more than that, an irreplaceable bond between artist and audience. Seeing artists like Lorrae Desmond, Julie Anthony and Geraldine Turner live, made me believe I could be anyone I wanted to be. It changed my life.”
“I have long dreamed that we could bring cabaret home to Sydney so I am immensely proud to present the inaugural Sydney Cabaret Festival, which in its first outing brings together some of my favourite artists from around Australia and the globe.” he continued.
The majority of the festival will be spread across five venues within the Festival Hub at the Seymour Centre; Valhalla, Chequers, The Tilbury Room, Capriccio's and The Piano Bar, renamed to celebrate the legendary Sydney cabaret venues.
All-Star Gala
Presenting something for everyone, the festival provides performances from comedy, to jazz and even a children's show- don't worry, it's a circus act.
Opening the festival on Friday 5 July, the All-Star Gala will welcome you with surprise guest artists, laughs and sequinned glamour, just to give you a small taste of what the festival will en-tale. As a one-night-only event, this Gala is not a night you would want to miss out on.
Following the opening event, Jennifer Holliday will make her Australian debut. Winning two Grammy Awards, having released nine studio albums and securing five Top Ten singles on the R&B and dance charts, she will dazzle her way to your heart with soulful pop, broadway tunes, jazz and originals.
With a little bit of everything for everyone, mid-festival, Tim Draxl will return to the cabaret stage to perform his show 'Love Is A Drag', from the 1960s cult album. Performing songs alike 'My Man', 'The Man I Love', 'He's Funny That Way' and 'Bewitched', the performance reveals repression, hostility, deceit and life-and-death sacrifices of the '40s, '50s and '60s. Also celebrating Draxl's own personal story, 'Love Is A Drag' is a romantic, life-affirming and liberating show.
Near the closing end of the festival there is also shows just for kids. 'Petit Cabaret – Just for kids!' is a show recommended for tots ages five and up. Presented by those from 'Cheeky Cabaret', the kid's cabaret show is a circus variety show, which is a bit less cheeky than the evening counterpart.
