Alan Cumming to premiere his latest show and Hans will host the Gala for 2021 Adelaide Cabaret Festival
The Variety Gala is back for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival next year, where Hans will host and artistic director Alan Cumming will premiere his own show.
Entertainment
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Alan Cumming will premiere his brand-new show, Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age, at his inaugural Adelaide Cabaret Festival in June.
The Sunday Mail can also exclusively reveal the 21st anniversary Cabaret Festival Variety Gala will again light up the Festival Theatre stage, with international cabaret superstar Hans as host.
The artistic director’s own show will be a thrilling evening of story and song, celebrating his puckish, eclectic spirit and joie de vivre. The one-night-only performance will close the festival on June 26.
“My last show was Legal Immigrant, about my 10 years as a citizen of America,” Cumming said.
“It was very poignant to be going around the States talking about immigration. There are more songs and about what is appropriate and what it means to be acting your age – you know, what exactly is that?”
Cumming said there would be a distinctly Australian feel to his festival.
“The restrictions COVID-19 has placed on our plans has actually been a positive in terms of my desire for the focus of Adelaide Cabaret Festival ’21. The spotlight is firmly on Australian cabaret and talent,” he said.
“I love Australia, I love going there and performing there.”
The red carpet will be rolled out on the festival’s opening night on June 11 for the variety gala when cabaret lovers can re-emerge dressed in their best.
Hans recalled how nervous he was the first time he performed at the gala in 2013.
“Kate Ceberano was holding my hand on the side of the stage,” he said.
“So, now to be hosting the show eight years later is a big dream come true.
“The Cabaret Festival is a very prestigious event in the cabaret world and the gala is always, I think, the hot ticket.”
The renowned diva says he’s not sure how he’ll go sharing the limelight with other performers.
“I will be different, but 2020 has made me a much more generous person,” Hans said.
“We’ve all had to learn to work together. But, really, I have always been a giver.”
He was uncharacteristically modest when learning Cumming was already a big fan.
“Of course, I am a huge fan as well and would love to do a duet with Alan,” Hans said.
“He stars in my favourite movie after Sound of Music, which is Spiceworld.”
The full program will be launched in March.
Adelaide Cabaret Festival, June 11-26, Variety Gala, June 11; Alan Cumming is not acting his age. Tickets on sale Monday.