Virginia Gay talks cabaret
“I want it on my tombstone!” says Adelaide Cabaret Festival Artistic Director Virginia Gay when I ask about her self-appointed chief mischief maker title.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Virginia about the program for this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival and the event’s world-class reputation.
In the role of chief mischief maker, the star of screen and stage has used her effervescent energy to curate a smorgasbord of acts.
Virginia travelled to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to scope international acts to bring to Adelaide,
“I would say [to acts], ‘We would love you to join us at the Adelaide Cab’,” she says.
“The international stars would interrupt, responding ‘Oh, we’ve heard about the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. We hear it is so much fun, so warm, the audiences are so loving, it’s such a brilliant vibe – yes, we want to be involved.’”
Variety is the spice of life
When shaping the festival, Virginia was particularly eager to cater to all tastes.
“I wanted to offer the audience as much variety as possible,” she says. “Not only incredible cultural and linguistic diversity, and body [and gender] diversity but also age diversity.”
Cabaret fans may recognise iconic trio Fascinating Aïda, who are celebrating their ruby stage anniversary with The 40th Anniversary Show! Three-time Tony Award winner Patti LuPone will be premiering A Life in Notes – a retrospective look at the music that shaped her life.
Virginia considered all generations when creating the program for this year’s Cabaret Festival.
“When I was thinking about this program, I wondered ‘what is Generation Z doing with cabaret, and what that looks like,” she says.
Fringe favourites Mel and Sam fit that bill perfectly. Birthed from Instagram and TikTok, the young comedy cabaret duo will be performing the best of their original hits in a show called, naturally, The Best of.
And what better variety than to see Christina Bianco’s In Divine Comedy, where the world-class impressionist uncannily performs with the voices of your favourites, from Celine Dion to Bernadette Peters.
Virginia says that show alone is worth a trip to Adelaide alone because none of us can afford to go to New York to see these performers.
Why cabaret?
I asked Virginia what makes cabaret so special.
“For me cabaret is sex, mischief, wit, community, celebration – and it’s funny,” Virginia gushes.
“It’s joyful. These beautiful [cabaret] performers will have the audience laughing and laughing and laughing – and then sing a ballad and rip our hearts out.
“It’s such a wonderful artform.”
Virginia was adamant the festival should be accessible no matter a person’s budget.
“We want to be whatever the opposite is of gatekeepers,” she says.
“We want to be welcomers. Especially as it’s a mid-winter festival. We don’t want you out there in the cold – we want you in here in our warm, sequin-y embrace!”
New to 2024, the Festival Late Nights variety show is capped at $39 and features performers from across the program. Artists will perform regular numbers as well as some that aren’t in their shows. No two nights will be the same.
“We [also] have free shows that exist in the foyers that are about singing along. Sometimes you’ll be standing beside and singing along with big stars from across the festival!” Virginia says.
Top-notch audiences
While not performing a solo show of her own, you’ll see Virginia in her ‘glad rags’ meeting and greeting audiences in the foyers before and after shows.
“Adelaide Cabaret Festival audiences are so loyal,” Virginia says. “They’re so wonderful and welcoming. They’re the most integral part of the feeling of the festival.”
You may even spot her in some cameos across the program including Comedians on Stage Auditioning for Musicals, which she described as “every actor’s nightmare turned into audience gold”.
This year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival is running from 7–22 June and features 79 performances from spectacular local and international artists. I told Virginia that I am very excited about the line up.
“I’m really excited that you’re excited,” she says. “It’s a magical, magical collection – I really love that it made you feel like that too. I’ll see you in the foyer!”
Enjoy a meal before the show
You’re already in your sequins and suits so make a night of it. RAA members can save with our exciting dining deals.