Joyful Class of Cabaret
Class of Cabaret is one of the most joyful and positive hours on the Adelaide arts calendar.
For those not familiar with the concept, 30 high school students from around South Australia are selected to join cabaret classes with tutors Kim Spargo and Matthew Carey, and a masterclass with Cabaret Festival artistic director Kate Ceberano. They “graduate” with a performance at the Space Theatre, tricked out in all its smoky cabaret glory, with a supportive crowd cheering on the students.
Last night’s latest batch of students showed, once again, the power of the program.
The students, from all kinds of schools – city, country, public and private – take turns at centre stage, with Carey providing polished and sensitive accompaniment on the piano.
They each tell a personal story as a prelude to their chosen song – some wryly funny, many very personal and touching.
In last night’s first performance (of two), we had a budding jazz pianist accompanying himself to “Straighten Up and Fly Right”, some old-school vaudeville tap dancing, an original complete with back-up singers, a soulful and gutsy “I’m Like a Bird”, and heartfelt versions of standards “Misty” and “Cry Me a River”.
Many of the students – all in the upper secondary years – spoke of the support of family and friends for their love of the arts. Some, though, spoke of the struggle of being dedicated to singing and the stage, or some of their personal pain.
It was the latter that led to a couple of the night’s most poignant performances, including a spectacular version of “Out Here on My Own” by a girl with a crystal-clear voice, and a beautifully controlled, soaring account of “My Brother Lived in San Francisco”, from the song cycle “Elegies For Angels, Punks and Raging Queens”.
Even if you don’t have a personal connection with any of the students, if you want a musical night out that will put a huge smile on your face – this is the show for you.
More Adelaide Cabaret Festival reviews
Review: Sugartits – so wrong yet so right
Review: Meow Meow paces and purrs
Review: The cabaret charisma of Capsis
Review: Surrender to the Strangeness of Rramp
Review: Chaplin: A Life in Concert
Review: Tom Burlinson’s salute to swing
Review: Shane Warne the Musical
