North Australian Festival of Arts: Actor Matt Young presents Circus Carnival Cabaret

Hidden among the list of performers at Townsville’s eagerly anticipated arts festival is an American-born actor presenting a circus cabaret with rural Queensland flare.

Matt Young, the “Ringmaster”, is bringing Circus Carnival Cabaret to the North Australian Festival of Arts in Townsville from September 26 to October 13. The festival features 89 shows, 430 performances and 800 artists, headlined by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra hosting Symphony Under the Stars. Picture: Reiser Media

Almost hidden among the expansive list of performers at Townsville’s eagerly anticipated arts festival is an American-born Australian actor presenting a circus cabaret with rural Queensland flare.

Matt Young, who played the titular role in the award-winning ‘Captain Cook: Obsession and Discovery’, is tapping into his creative and theatrical roots to bring a regional audience Circus Carnival Cabaret at the North Australian Festival of Arts.

Young, an original cast member from the Australian production of The Producers, conceived, produced and will star in the family-friendly show featuring songs and stories from “Broadway shows, bush balladeers and popular culture”.

He said the show, to feature three performances at The Parlour on The Strand on October 5-6, was written for and about the rural Outback town of Blackall, where he lives.

Young said it was a long road to the central Queensland town, which was home to Mary Ellen Atkins, who ran away from home aged 12 and helped forge the very beginnings of Australia’s circus industry.

“When I moved to Blackall, where my husband was born, I had no idea of its connection to the circus.”

Matt Young is bringing Circus Carnival Cabaret to the North Australian Festival of Arts in Townsville from September 26 to October 13. The festival features 89 shows, 430 performances and 800 artists, headlined by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra hosting Symphony Under the Stars. Picture: Reiser Media

Matt Young is bringing Circus Carnival Cabaret to the North Australian Festival of Arts in Townsville from September 26 to October 13. The festival features 89 shows, 430 performances and 800 artists, headlined by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra hosting Symphony Under the Stars. Picture: Reiser Media

Young, whose musical theatre credits also include Annie and Mamma Mia, said that he himself had left home to tour the US and Europe in musicals that included A Chorus Line and On the Town before joining The Producers.

“After decades of performing internationally, I suppose metaphorically I ran away from the circus to live in Blackall,” he laughed.

“But a lifetime of singing and dancing doesn’t just disappear, so I’m thrilled to bring this one-man musical comedy cabaret to a wider audience.”

Young said that as a regional artist, it was “important to share stories from our communities with other regional towns and cities”.

“Locals love to hear a local story.”

Young said his performance featured songs that included, Talk To the Animals, Lydia the Tattooed Lady and Peter Allen’s Don’t Cry Out Loud.

“It’s a treat for the whole family.”

The festival features 89 shows, 430 performances and 800 artists, headlined by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra hosting Symphony Under the Stars.

NAFA, an annual celebration of arts, culture, inclusion and community, runs from September 26 to October 13.

Originally published as North Australian Festival of Arts: Actor Matt Young presents Circus Carnival Cabaret