Review: There is Nothing Like a Game! At the Banquet Room

Late nights at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival have always held the promise of a little mischief and a lot of magic – and this year, Gillian Cosgriff has brought both in spades with There is Nothing Like a Game!. Equal parts game show, variety hour, and cheeky party, Cosgriff’s newest late-night foray is the perfect way to keep festival vibes buzzing well after bedtime.

From the second she leaps on stage, Cosgriff reminds us all why she’s a festival favourite. Her sharp wit, relaxed charm and infectious silliness have the audience in the palm of her hand. She takes a straightforward idea – grown-ups playing silly games for the sheer fun of it – and turns it into a hilarious 90 minutes of laughter, nostalgia and surprise celebrity antics.

Audience participation is the show’s lifeblood, and Cosgriff is a genius at encouraging even the shyest punter to shout out answers and barrack for their mates. Opening night highlights involved a desperate free-for-all to recall the birth order of the Von Trapp kids and a side-splittingly off-key communal attempt to rebuild Lou Bega’s Mambo No. 5 chorus. If you think you’re a trivia expert under pressure, wait until you’re playing while laughingly uncontrollably at your neighbour’s wild guesses.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Cosgriff cabaret without a few musical surprises – her original songs and impromptu jingles pop up between rounds like mischievous palate cleansers, keeping the energy sky-high. Add to that her band’s slick musicianship and the delightful presence of co-host Joel Allan, who gleefully orchestrates the beautiful chaos, and you’ve got a show that feels at once spontaneous and expertly steered.

There’s also a new line-up of special guests each night, adding an element of star power and surprise. This time, festival staples Bobby Fox, Demi Adejuyigbe and Artistic Director Virginia Gay all participated in the silliness with gusto, proving cabaret royalty love a good game just as much as the audience.

This is exactly what a late-night festival show should be; relaxed, rowdy and gloriously unpolished – but in all the right ways. The rough edges only add to the charm; no one is here for a sleek studio game show. We’re here for the unexpected outbursts, the raucous crowd commentary, and the shared joy of a room full of people being big kids for a while.

In a festival season that’s known for its late-night hangs, Cosgriff’s show feels like a wonderful addition. Grab a drink, take a seat, shout out an answer, and enjoy watching talented performers let their hair down. With There is Nothing Like a Game! Cosgriff proves the best cabaret isn’t necessarily polished to a high gloss — sometimes it’s just a group of strangers laughing loudly together well after the sun goes down.

Let’s hope this comes back again, and trust me, come ready to play.

4.5 Stars

Lia Loves.