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Cabaret without breaking the bank? Count us in!

Monday, 26 May 2025
5 min read
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Get ready for a treat!

This year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival is showering us with a fantastic array of free shows! We’re talking full-on, dazzlingly entertaining, and utterly art-soaked experiences that you won’t want to miss.

Come feast your eyes on the talent of:

Piano Man

The king of the keys, Dr Trevor Jones brings sing-alongs, musical brilliance and additional guest stars to take us through generations of music. Grab a drink and soak up the madness as his nightly shows come in their purest, most joyfully unhinged form.

Claudio Raschella

Celebrating 10 years of capturing the backstage, side stage and everywhere in between, come see the captivating images from South Australia's very own Claudio Raschella. From candid portraits to iconic stage moments, his storytelling through the lens is our way of celebrating the most memorable moments Adelaide Cabaret Festival has had over the last decade.

25 Years in Conversation

Come delve into the past, present and future of cabaret with former Adelaide Cabaret Festival Executive Producer Alex Sinclair as she reflects on the chaos, charm, and cultural punch of this festival. Expect memorable moments, iconic identities and what actually went down backstage that one time with Reuben Kaye.

LGBTIQ+ Elders Dance Club

Come for an afternoon of music, movement and moments of pure happiness. This returning festival favourite promises to provide a dance floor spot for a celebration of pride and unfiltered expression. And the best part? No dance experience required.


Big Cabaret, Small Price Tag

Bling on a budget? We’ve got you. Cabaret $30 for under 30s is back — and it’s your ticket to the glitz, guts, and glory of Adelaide Cabaret Festival without breaking the bank.

Whether you're a cabaret connoisseur or just cabaret-curious, this year’s lineup is bursting with bold voices, fresh acts, and unforgettable nights out — all for less than your favourite café’s avocado on toast.

Who’s on the list?

It’s a smorgasbord of sass, soul, and standout comedy. Think performers and local legends lighting up the stage with everything from jazz to jaw-dropping satire.

Michelle Brasier: Average Bear

A whirlwind of heart, humour, and heavenly high notes, Michelle Brasier asks what would you do if you found out you had less time on this planet than ‘the average bear’? With wit, class, and vocals that could shatter a glass (in a good way), this show reminds us life is too short to waste and too long to take seriously.

Clare Bowditch’s Random Creative Adventure

ARIA Award-winner, author, all-round legend Clare Bowditch wants you to jump into the weird and wonderful pool of creativity — no floaties required. This one’s part pep talk, part performance, part communal exhale. Expect music, storytelling, honest laughs and a little bit of magic. Come curious. Leave recharged.

Rizo

Rizo brings the glam, soul, and more powerhouse notes than your playlist could dream of. As Adelaide Cabaret Festival celebrates 25 years of bling, Rizo combines her childhood stories from Oregon with tales of travelling the globe in an unforgettable show. Think raw storytelling meets hilarious and heartfelt songs that will leave you cracked open, along with your jaw on the floor of the Space Theatre.

Tired Ass Showgirls

Discover the naked truth in the hilarious reality of when glam meets comedy. With enough sparkle to start a glitter storm, come for the sequins and stay for the steamy stories straight from the sauna.

And that’s just the start. Whether you’re a theatre regular or a first-timer, these shows promise high-quality performances with bite-sized ticket prices. It’s your chance to see cult favourites, international darlings, and rising stars for a cost less than two glasses of champagne. (Pro tip: treat yourself to both.)

Demi Adejuyigbe Is Going To Do One (1) Backflip

Ever wondered what happens when sharp wit meets chaotic ambition? Get ready for gut-busting laughs and a... backflip attempt? From The Good Place writing room to Adelaide Cabaret Festival stage, Demi promises an evening of high-stakes hilarity and unforgettable comedic brilliance. You won't want to miss this!

The Burton Brothers - 1925

Step into the hilarious reality where the Burton Brothers, with their impeccable transatlantic accents and two-part harmonies, transport you to a place where Jazz Age meets bonkers sketch comedy.

Expect perfectly optimistic stories, unexpected twists, and a captivating blend of vintage charm and modern wit straight from their unique 1925 world.

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Image: Photo: Simon McCulloch

Sugar

Get ready for the outrageous reality when Sugar takes centre stage, exploring the complexities of transactional relationships.

This show offers a potent mix of sultry pop hits and electric tales, using Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman as a guide.

Prepare for captivating stories and a performance that's both bold and unforgettably sweet, leaving you buzzing with its tantalising energy.

Frankie McNair - Tabitha Booth

Dive into the hilarious reality where heavily medicated meets unhinged character comedy. Frankie McNair introduces you to Tabitha Booth, a force of nature with enough mania to start a giggle fit.

Prepare for unbelievable stories and off-off Broadway hits sung in keys you didn't know existed, guaranteeing a night of bold, bizarre, and brilliant laughs.

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Image: Photo Credit: Rebeka Halls

Michelle Brasier's Comedians On Stage Auditioning for Musicals

Step into the hilarious reality where cabaret darlings face terrible auditions. Michelle Brasier brings you the world's worst audition room, where musical mayhem and celebrity flails abound. Expect side-splitting laughs and comedic triumphs as top comedians attempt to sing their hearts out – often with riotous results.

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Image: Photo: Claudio Raschella

Festival Statesmen Chorus - A Cappella Time Warp

Prepare for a vibrant reality as ten powerful voices embark on a musical journey through time. The Festival Statesmen Chorus delivers high-energy a cappella covers that will transport you straight through the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s. It's Pitch Perfect meets Ronan Keating, and boundless fun is to be had as these talented performers unleash a wave of harmonious nostalgia.

Ready for More?

This is just a taste of the excitement! Dive into our full festival program.

21062024 Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2024 Audience Crowd Claudio Raschella 36

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