The End: Reuben Kaye

To celebrate the end of another Adelaide Cabaret Festival, it seemed fitting that the 2024 cabaret icon award recipient Reuben Kaye would host a cross-section of talented performers to bring us 90 minutes of raucous entertainment. Joining him to celebrate the hilarity was Adelaide Cabaret artistic director, Virginia Gay.

Kaye sashayed through the crowd as we entered, greeting audience members like life-long friends. His trademark lavish lashes, mischievous smile and immense talent are what makes this performer a sensation at many cabaret and comedy festivals across the world.

Supported by a gifted band consisting of musical director Shanon Whitelock on piano, Alana Dawes on double bass and John McDermott on drums, they seemed just as amused as the audience at Kaye’s side-splitting banter. Nothing was off limits as he mingled with patrons.

Kaye’s opening number, “Dark Days are Here Again” by Divine Comedy, highlighted his powerful vocals. Kaye captured the crowd’s attention and the laughs never stopped.

Joining him in the merriment and at times absurdity of the evening, were comedy, cabaret and burlesque stars Michelle Brasier, Imogen Kelly, Gillian Cosgriff, Kitty Ibsidian, Lillian Star, Enter Serenity, and Iota, who sang a wonderful rendition of the David Bowie standard, “5 Years”. I thought I had seen it all and nothing could shock me, however the creativity that guest performers displayed left me speechless in the best possible way.

Reuben Kaye is quick-witted, with an irreverent sense of humour. He is aware of the audience he is playing to and although he has been on the cabaret scene for many years, his rhetoric is fresh and intoxicating. Bucket-loads of sexual innuendo and a smile that highlights his cheekiness. His social commentary accurately depicting the farcical elements of society.

Exclaiming to the crowd, “…that none of us get out alive.” Kaye under the shadow of a spotlight, sang a haunting rendition of “The End,” by songwriter Scott Matthew. His heart-wrenching vocals highlighted the diversity of this enigmatic cabaret star.

Kerry Cooper

Image of Reuben Kaye, from the Cabaret Festival Gala, by Claudio Raschella.