Review: Catherine Alcorn Live at Ginger’s

‘Catherine Alcorn is a firecracker. Funny, fearless and fuelled by boundless charisma’

She turns Ginger’s into a cabaret playground where world-class musicianship, heartfelt storytelling and perfectly orchestrated chaos collide. Supported by the incomparable Michael Griffiths, the effortlessly charming Drew Weston and the exciting Charlie Watt, this is a night that celebrates everything cabaret should be; spontaneous, intimate, moving and outrageously entertaining.

Some performers walk onto a stage.

Catherine Alcorn detonates onto it!

The moment she bursts into Ginger’s, belting When You’re Good to Catherine, the room belongs entirely to her. Alcorn is a powerhouse singer, comedian and storyteller who possesses the rare gift of making a room full of strangers feel like old friends. Gloriously unpredictable, hilariously inappropriate and utterly captivating, there is simply no other way to describe her.

Alcorn’s vocal style sits proudly within the same spirit as Bette Midler’s. It is powerful, soulful and richly coloured, effortlessly moving from delivering a breathtaking ballad to landing a perfectly timed comedic punchline. It is no surprise that she has become so closely associated with Midler, having created a celebrated tribute show to one of the great entertainers of our time.

The audience participation throughout the evening is hilariously ridiculous. As Alcorn prepares for an upcoming show aboard a swingers’ yacht, she turns to the crowd and asks: “What do you think I should sing?” The response is immediate. Song titles are thrown at her, and her incredible band launches into each suggestion as she sashays into the next number at full throttle. Before long, the entire room is playing along. This is cabaret at its best; entertaining, intimate and wonderfully spontaneous.

Joining the evening’s line-up is Michael Griffiths, who is nothing short of cabaret and musical theatre royalty. Beginning his set with an insightful reflection on his musical hero Madonna, and why Express Yourself represents the perfect pop song, Griffiths reminds us why he remains one of Australia’s most brilliant cabaret artists. His chemistry with Alcorn is undeniable, unsurprising given their long friendship and history of collaboration, and together they deliver an outstanding rendition of Peter Allen’s Tenterfield Saddler. Beneath all the humour, they create one of the most moving moments of the night.

Australian musical theatre performer Drew Weston brings an entirely different energy to the stage. His beautiful rendition of Bridge Over Troubled Water is delivered with exceptional restraint and authenticity, filling the room with warmth and sincerity.

Of course, this is a Catherine Alcorn show, so serenity cannot last too long.

Soon enough, Weston reunites with Alcorn for a fabulously unexpected disco-infused version of If You Could Read My Mind. It is perfectly crafted yet always feels as though it could veer gloriously off course at any moment.

Charlie Watt represents the next wave of Australian cabaret artists, and she is a talent audiences should watch closely. Hailing from regional South Australian [hello homie!] and already having created four cabaret shows, Watt performs with the confidence and assurance of an artist who knows exactly who she is. Her inventive interpretations of The Beatles’ Carry That Weight and Come Together are original, creative and beautifully delivered. It is impossible not to feel excited about where her career will go next.

For all its wild energy and outrageous humour, the evening also knows when to pause and breathe. One of the most affecting moments arrives when Alcorn performs Dancing On My Own. Stripped of irony and theatrical embellishment, the song becomes an intimate and deeply emotional reflection on vulnerability. It is this contrast between laughter and honesty that makes Alcorn such a compelling artist.

This show is gloriously chaotic, and that is precisely why it works. Every moment feels spontaneous, even when crafted by performers at the absolute top of their game. It is a beautiful collision of humour, emotion and unpredictability, where nothing feels entirely certain and every surprise becomes part of the magic.

Cabaret is ultimately about connection, and there is no one better at creating it than Catherine Alcorn. She does not simply perform for her audience; she welcomes them into the experience. By the final applause, Ginger’s no longer feels like a cabaret venue, it feels like the best party you have ever been invited to, hosted by the funniest Australian friend you could hope to have, who just happens to possess one of the country’s finest voices.

5 stars

Lia Loves.