“A smorgasbord of perfectly balanced chaos and craft”.
Isobel Marmion, Adelaide Cabaret Festival executive producer.
Rueben Kaye, a multi-award-winning Australian comedian, singer and writer, has assembled “a delicious revolution” for the 2026 Adelaide Cabaret Festival (June 4-21), knowing he had “big shoes to fill” as a followup to 2025 artistic director Virginia Gay’s stunning lineup. Kaye has assembled an eclectic festival built on gut instinct: “It spans genres, it spans nationalities, and I think that makes it even more ‘cabaret’.”
Headline acts performing at the Festival Theatre during Cabaret Festival
Australian pop-rock group Lime Cordiale will give their ARIA chart-topping tunes a sympho facelift in a special collaboration with Adelaide Symphony Orchestra in their Adelaide premiere show.
The talent behind the global phenomenon Jesus Christ Superstar present a one-night-only event, as Australian stars from the Olivier Award‑winning production perform iconic songs and share behind-the-scenes stories in What’s The Buzz. Featuring Reuben Kaye, Mahalia Barnes, John O’Hara, Elliot Baker, Graeme Isaako, Javon King, Peter Murphy and Michael Paynter.
A one-night-only performance from Casey Donovan in This Is Me, as she brings Amy Winehouse’s iconic anthems to life with raw soul and unmistakable power.
Celebrated opera and Broadway star Alfie Boe makes his Adelaide Cabaret Festival debut alongside soprano Amy Manford, performing greatest hits and songs from Facing Myself.
The festival closes with Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox – The Future is Vintage, transforming modern hits into a high‑energy, vintage‑style party.
Vince Jones among other Cabaret Festival highlights
In an Adelaide premiere, Em Rusciano presents Addicted to Love, an unfiltered take on romance, validation and the myths we’re sold.
Australian television royalty Jay Laga’aia shares songs and stories in Unscripted, an intimate, nostalgic evening reflecting on his journey from Play School to Water Rats.
National treasure Vince Jones returns to Adelaide Cabaret Festival with A Maverick’s Tale, celebrating five decades of Australian jazz through his most beloved classics.
In a world premiere, Festival favourite Mahalia Barnes performs Bette Midler’s award‑winning The Rose, a raw, late‑1960s tale of fame, addiction and heartbreak, with hits from women of the era.
Local legends Libby O’Donovan OAM and Michaela Burger bring Short, a high-energy celebration of mega hits, tall tales and the power of small packages.
Adelaide Cabaret Festival Icon Award winner Paul Capsis joins Adam Noviello in HOUSE OF ROT: Grey Gardens, a haunting world‑premiere reimagining of the 1975 documentary exploring legacy, survival and collapse.
Australian rock icon Sarah McLeod gets up close and personal, sharing songs and wild stories from 30 years on stage.
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2026 runs from June 4-21 at Adelaide Festival Centre.
Tickets on sale from Wednesday 1 April at www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au