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A chair, a spotlight and intimate glamour

By Lenny Ann Low
May 27 2003

Last year, cabaret fans discovered the razzle-dazzle of the Sydney Cabaret Convention via a side door next to the tradesman's entrance. Once inside Sydney Town Hall, they watched nearly 50 cabaret contestants over a week-long program and there wasn't a martini in sight.

According to this year's inaugural artistic director, Ron Creager, quality was in abundance but the event was more "eisteddfod" than intimate. "The convention has always been done by a committee from the City of Sydney," he said. "Done very well, but they're always stressed and have about 25 events that they're planning."

Creager's vision for the seventh convention, which runs from tonight until Saturday, is a combination of purism and chic. Only 12 finalists are competing in the convention's nightly showcase and the venue, now called City Cabaret Club, features raised seating, a lowered stage and seats for 280 rather than 900.

"It's stripped to just a stage, a light, a stool, a piano and a song," said Creager, who was previously the convention's musical director. "They told me to just dream so now there's glamour from the moment you enter."

The showcase will also feature a host, Gary Scale, and compere, Chelsea Plumley, who will also perform.

"Gary is the figurehead of the club, which leaves Chelsea to be the star of the room. She doesn't have to deal with anything ugly or untoward like explaining where the toilets are."

Nearly 100 performers auditioned for the showcase, vying for the chance to win prestigious awards allowing them to appear at or attend the New York Cabaret Convention.

"Three finalists will compete each night and, after interval, three professionals will show them how it's done," said Creager.

The inaugural Open Mic Bar invites members of the public to try their luck after 9pm. Creager is also keen to highlight Australian cabaret talent rather than imported stars. Local legends, established performers and rising stars such as Eddie Perfect, Phil Scott, Lorrae Desmond, Nancye Hayes, Gery Scott, Toni Lamond and Stuart Wagstaff will appear.

"Oh, absolute legends," Creager says. "Gery is probably the closest we've got to the source of what original cabaret was like when it all started.

"And that's why I've put Toni, Lorrae and Stuart on the second night together. They won't admit to how much each one's contributing but, between them, they have over 160 years of show business."

Bookings: Ticketmaster on 1300136166.
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