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Jeremy Sams epitomizes the Adelaide Cabaret Festival – little known musical genius surprising and delighting appreciative audiences.
Sams should be well known, but his name probably means little to most Adelaide audience members. The Cabaret Festival remedies this via a wonderful evening of music and song from this musically gifted Brit. He is a theatre director, lyricist, composer, orchestrator, translator and conductor.
During the evening he recounts stories of his directorial days on the West End and Broadway, as well as his encounters with musical greats such as Kurt Weill and Michel LeGrand.
An artless raconteur he talks, plays piano and serves up a musical feast on a simple stage with musicians Matthew Carey on piano, Pippa Strickland on bass, Samantha Hennessy on flute and Jaclyn Hale on clarinet. The musical fare includes Sams’ own compositions as well as music ranging from Sondheim to Mozart.
It is unfair to state that Sams is the only star in the firmament. Philip Quast, deservedly much loved by Adelaide audiences, is outstanding as the special guest. Singers Simon Burke, Johanna Allen, Douglas McNicol and Kaye Tuckerman also do justice to the wonderful array of songs.
In the treasure trove that is the Adelaide Cabaret Festival this is a real gem.
© Rod Lewis
