Comedians Auditioning for Musicals

The opening sforzando of Les Misérables’ ‘Confrontation’ sets the tone of the show, the commanding singing voices of our hosts Michelle Braiser and Ben Russell offset by their valiant attempts not to take it too seriously. Braiser is a bold Valjean; Russell the serious Javert attempting an arrest without breaking into laughter.

VCA – Vicky Christina Aguilera (Braiser), is auditioning ‘amateur actors’, along with the director, her ex-husband Sir Robert Nida (Russell), who annunciates clearly how he taught ‘Sarah to Snook’ and ‘Cate to Blanche-it’. Our nervous auditionees are chosen from the vast array of talent gathered in Adelaide for the Cabaret Festival and we are in for a treat.

First up is Virginia Gay, who bravely continues the ‘Les Mis’ theme with Javert’s ‘Stars’. It might be played for laughs, but Gay has a good voice for the single-minded police inspector. It doesn’t detract when Braiser sprinkles water onto her face as (s)he ‘suicides’ (‘He does what?’ quips Russell).

Zachary Ruane channels his anxiety in performing Chicago’s ‘Mr Cellophane’; the irrepressible Reuben Kaye enlightens us on Disney’s not-so-secret agenda and sings a cheeky ‘Poor Unfortunate Souls’ from The Little Mermaid; and Eddie Perfect delivers a wonderful version of Oklahoma’s ‘I Can’t Say No’.

Yet the highlight must be Trevor Jones, who arrives on stage in a tiger suit and cat head, auditioning for Cats as Delta Goodrem – the role of Grizadelta. His mash-up of ‘Memory’ and ‘Born to Try’ is brilliant in concept and voice, and the packed crowd in the Space Theatre are roaring with approval.

Even the talented accompanist for these ‘auditions’, Gillian Cosgriff, gets in on the act. Following strict instructions from VCA and Nida ‘not to say a word’, she still shows her fabulous voice through choral harmonies created by just herself with the aid of a loop pedal.

The callbacks are obviously for everyone and with the performers roaming the audience, we’re all encouraged to sing along to the finale song, ‘Mr Mistoffelees’ – I confess when Braiser sat next to me and offered the microphone, I couldn’t remember the words!

A thoroughly enjoyable hour of comedy and musicals, elevated by the incredible talent of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival – a wonderful demonstration of how good cabaret can reward and uplift.

Mark Wickett

Photos by Claudio Raschella