Now in its 17th season, Class of Cabaret is a unique opportunity for South Australian Year 10 and 11 students to build skills and find their voice while gaining accreditation towards their SACE qualification. Mentorship and tuition via masterclasses and workshops takes place over two terms and culminates in several ticketed public performances in that year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
It’s an incredible experience for talented teens with dreams of stardom, but what comes next? Homecoming, over two shows, offers evidence that a career in the performing arts is a goal worth pursuing. The evening’s five performers, including MC Alex De Porteous, are Class of Cabaret graduates who have established themselves either locally, nationally or internationally (or all three!) in their chosen genre. Proof indeed that success can come to those with talent, dedication and expert early support.
De Porteous strode onto the Space Theatre stage, a vision in a cyclamen-pink, sequinned strapless frock and puffed-sleeve cape, setting the scene with a bold rendition of the Supertramp classic, ‘Take the Long Way Home’. Throughout the short session, De Porteous announced each of the four performers, giving a brief introduction but allowing them to tell their own stories. It’s a rewarding concept – welcoming home these young people who’ve been ‘sticking the landing’ since their head start courtesy of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
Scarlett Anthony didn’t want to live her life wondering ‘What if …?’, an attitude that took her to sea at the age of 18 after landing her first professional work as a featured vocalist for Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Beginning with ‘One Perfect Moment’, a number from Bring It On: The Musical, Anthony’s connection with the audience was immediate. As a ‘swing’, she’s currently covering 10 different roles for the Australian tour of Heathers: The Musical, soon to commence its Adelaide leg. She nailed her powerful second number – ‘I Say No’ – the song that she admitted induced ‘trauma dreams’ among the Heathers cast. She’s clearly passionate about her career, a pathway that ticks both of her desired boxes – work as well as travel.
Joey Haenen, songwriter, musician and musical theatre performer, is a recent graduate from the Elder Conservatorium. His professional credits include roles in Alice by Heart and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and he’ll soon be seen in the State Opera Company of South Australia’s production of Into the Woods. There is something sweetly disarming about Haenan’s honesty as he shared pivotal moments of his life using anecdotes, song snippets (‘Sunshine on My Shoulders’, ‘Waltzing Matilda’, ‘Both Sides Now’) and solo guitar. Even though he’s currently focused on completing a Master of Teaching, his music skills haven’t gone to waste. His own composition, a lullaby, gave us a glimpse of a talent that could take him anywhere he chooses to go. Inspirational stuff.
Proving that sometimes it’s nice to get a little bit silly, Jemma Allen strutted onstage in catsuit with handknitted furry trimmings, ready for her role as ‘Head Speaker of the Adelaide Cats Festival’. When it dawned on her that she’d misread the email, she decided to give it a crack anyway. The show must go on, and we were treated to a hysterical preview of her in-development work Cat: The Musical (spare funding, anyone?). All-singing, all-dancing ‘Jemmical Cat’ pranced on, not letting her CAT-astrophe stop her from showing us her interpretative choreographic skills. Totally bonkers and very funny indeed, and highly recommended for anyone with a penchant for jazz ballet. Allen, another Elder Conservatorium graduate, is also a member of cabaret trio Bisexual Intellectuals and is sought after as a vocal teacher and youth theatre director.
Subscribe for updates
Tego Loreto’s set revealed a dynamite voice and a personality that seems made for the spotlight, and it’s easy to imagine him hosting his own late-night entertainment show. (He admitted early on that ‘everyone from the Philippines can sing’ due to a national obsession with nineties R&B karaoke. Since Class of Cabaret, Loreto has consolidated his skills through regular involvement in Adelaide’s live music scene, including Circa 74 and R&B Rewind line-ups. His versions of ‘End of the Road’ (Boys II Men), ‘Superstitious’ (Stevie Wonder) and ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ (Alicia Keys) left us wanting much more from a performer who seems born to hold a microphone.
This gem of a show deserved a full house, and it cements what’s become a top tip for this festival; pick a name you’re unfamiliar with and prepare to be surprised. Taking a chance on the unknown helps give a lift to our up-and-coming artists. These hourlong shows are a great introduction to our homegrown, next-generation cabaret dazzlers.
On June 19 Scarlett Anthony and Jego Loreto, along with host Alex De Porteous, return for Night 2, in company with Max Monti and Max Olman.
Homecoming was presented from June 18 – 19 at Space Theatre as part of Adelaide Festival Centre
Want to see more stories from InDaily SA in your Google search results?
- Click here to set InDaily SA as a preferred source.
- Tick the box next to "InDaily SA". That's it.
Free to share
This article may be shared online or in print under a Creative Commons licence