Image: Diana Melfi
“When the audience comes in, it changes the temperature of what you’ve written.” Stephen Sondheim
We devour entertainment now. We binge. I wonder how that affects us as theatre watchers? The 70 minute cabaret format helps short attention spans, sure. But are we as invested? We have created little worlds this year that we hope will seduce you to engage with the people around you, the performers on stage, the foyers, the bars, and then the greater community as you go out and share your experience. Mes amis, there’s change. The Thebarton Theatre. No galas. No cabaret dinner. The late night club moves to the Famous Spiegeltent. The Banquet Room is now The Blue Room. The Wintergarden is gone and the QBE Cabaret Lounge is the place to meet; to come together. I want to thank the cabaret team in the office and the crew of the Festival Centre for their enthusiasm and skill in making this happen. I am beyond inspired and energised by the artists in our festival this year and we’ve chosen a different way for you to find them: our ‘if you love…’ guide will move you to think less about cabaret categories and more about following a feeling. Be the first in your group to find THAT show you all need to see. There will be immersion. Relish this opportunity! Cabaret has always been about breaking the fourth wall. The Swell Mob take it one step further. The melancholy enveloping this festival is that our leading light Frank Ford is not with us. His presence is in every part of this Festival Centre precinct. He has left a legacy of support that is so generous and we are proud to announce his very first annual grant supports UNSUNG. As an audience member I love it when the house lights go down and, in the darkness, I am transported as the stage lights come up. In honour of Frank, on the first night of the festival we will switch on a light to burn brightly over 16 nights. So. This is a call to action: Dress up. Look for the unexpected in yourself. See something you would NEVER see. Do it. There’s no time to waste.
JULIA ZEMIRO
Artistic Director Adelaide Cabaret Festival
IN MEMORIAM Frank Ford was a powerhouse of the arts in South Australia. A pivotal figure in the birth of Adelaide Cabaret Festival 19 years ago, Frank Ford championed whole-heartedly this beloved festival to become the largest of its kind in the world, charming artists and audiences for the best part of two decades. Frank loved sharing challenging and exciting experiences with audiences and that legacy ripples throughout the festival. His gift of the Frank Ford Commissioning Award, which provides $20,000 a year towards the creation of new works by South Australian artists will continue to help mentor and nurture emerging cabaret talent for years to come. We dedicate the 2019 festival and all those to come, to his memory and hope you will enjoy this festival with Frank in your thoughts and hearts.
VALE FRANK FORD AM THE GODFATHER OF CABARET
1 Image: Claudio Raschella