Cabaret returns to Taranaki
Right Royal Cabaret Fest is heading back to Taranaki with a diverse lineup to transform New Plymouth venues into intimate late-night clubs.
‘‘We’ve included a diverse range of artists and shows with stories that are by turns comic and tragic, but always entertaining,’’ artistic director Craig Cooper said in a statement.
‘‘The festival honours some of the great artists, such as Nina Simone, Cole Porter and even Kylie Minogue.
‘‘The 2018 programme celebrates the art of cabaret in all its forms - where stories are told through music in the intimate surrounds of a late-night club.’’
Taranaki’s own Ben Hurley, who puts on monthly comedy shows at New Plymouth’s The Mayfair, brings the world’s first stand-up comedy punk musical to the festival, which runs from June 28 - July 1.
Hurley’s show 22 Rants... is an out of the ordinary stand-up show where he rants about 22 subjects while accompanied by two-piece punk band. ‘‘Don’t come expecting a stand-up show, it’s full noise nonsense,’’ Taranaki Arts Festival Trust chief executive Suzanne Porter said.
Another New Zealand act leading the lineup is The Ma¯ ori Sideteps, comprising of Cohen Holloway, Rob Mokaraka, Jamie McCaskill, Jerome Leota and Erroll Anderson.
The contemporary Ma¯ ori showband are known for their popular self-titled web series where they weave political comedy into well-known songs.
Wellington-born but Australiabased Sheba Williams brings her glamorous rendition of legendary jazz singer Nina Simone to the festival. Filled with audience participation and glitzy outfits Williams has played to audiences around the world.
The rest of the lineup is a mixture of acts from across the ditch: drag act Yummy, Mother’s Ruin, Lucky – Songs by Kylie Minogue, and Michael Griffiths singing Cole Porter. ‘‘Each show is distinct, but each artist shares one thing in common with the others: their ability to connect directly with their audience to create moving and unforgettable performances,’’ Cooper said.