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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2009-05-14 Daily Xml
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ADELAIDE CABARET FESTIVAL

Ms SIMMONS (Morialta) (14:07): Will the Premier inform the chamber of some highlights of the 2009 Adelaide Cabaret Festival which is soon to open?

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:07): I would like to start by saying thank you to the Hon. Diana Laidlaw. I think it is really important to acknowledge people from the other side of the house who have made a real contribution, and Diana Laidlaw was an excellent minister for the arts. The Windmill Theatre Company and the Cabaret Festival were very much under her watch, and I think that she deserves to be commended. Obviously, I would like to thank her for continuing contribution to the arts in this state, including the work that she does fundraising for the South Australian Museum.

The program for the 2009 Adelaide Cabaret Festival, to be held between 5 and 20 June 2009, was launched on Tuesday 8 April. In fact, it was a spectacular performance by Bob Downe, whom I look forward to seeing perform again. Adelaide-born, world-class cabaret performer David Campbell—who, by the way is the son of Jimmy Barnes—

The Hon. K.O. Foley: Yes, I know; he's my mate.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: You know. He took over the reins as artistic director of this event after the 2008 event. He and associate producer Lisa Campbell have built on the reputation of Australia's foremost celebration of cabaret, established, of course, under the artistic directorship of Julia Holt. For 2009 a diverse line-up of renowned international cabaret performers has been assembled. Acclaimed Broadway artist Bernadette Peters (who from memory appeared at the Barack Obama inauguration), Lillias White, John Bucchino and Julie Wilson are among an impressive list of national and local performers.

I must mention the beautiful voice of Barbara Luna, with the seductive sounds of her South American rhythms. Of course, everyone would know that Barbara is based in Paris, but she is originally from Argentina. She was the star—and the Minister for Health might remind me—of either the 2000 or 2001 WOMADelaide. She was one of the great hits of all time. There is also Ursula Jovich with her soulful Magpie Blues. I also understand that John Bucchino and Friends' performance will now include an appearance by David Campbell. For the first time, festival patrons will be invited to walk the red carpet (members opposite might like to try that) at a variety gala performance of a not to be missed opening night. Within one week—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: It is called the Frome by-election re-enactment cabaret. Within one week of the program launch, the 'Dad and Dave' show, featuring David, his father Jimmy Barnes and his sister Mahalia Barnes (who I reckon was probably named after Mahalia Jackson), as well as Kate Ceberano's one-off cabaret show, both sold out.

Ticket sales have continued to be very strong for this popular event. Some 10 performances in total have sold out so far, including several of the shows by Lillias White and Elenoa Rokobara. An extra weekend matinee performance has been scheduled for Ross Wilson's show No smoke, just mirrors and for Phil Scott and Vincent Hooper's show The twink and the showgirl, due to sell-outs. There are still four weeks to go before it opens. Over 50 per cent of the target box office income has been reached already, and a number of other shows are close to selling out.

I understand that to date this is the most successful Adelaide Cabaret Festival, having sold more tickets and taken more box office income at the same time out from opening night when compared with the previous eight festivals. The Adelaide Cabaret Festival continues to get brighter and brasher and has well and truly established itself as Australia's foremost celebration of this urbane art form.

I have arranged for programs to be distributed to members. I would encourage them to take a good look over it and to book their seats very soon to ensure that they do not miss out on the delights of this sometimes funny, sometimes challenging, but always engaging and outright entertaining festival.

Can I just say that everyone should go and see Bob Downe, who is doing this tour de force of Australian military songs and humour from the Crimean War right through to the present day. I know that there will undoubtedly be some parody, but we all have broad shoulders.

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