She stole the scene in her ‘villainous’ role in hit comedy Colin from Accounts, but Virginia Gay reveals why directing Adelaide Cabaret Festival’s 25th anniversary is her favourite gig yet.
“Sex, wit, mischief, sass, and a little whiff of chaos” – that’s how Virginia Gay sums up Adelaide Cabaret Festival as she steps into the spotlight as Artistic Director for its sparkling silver anniversary.
Fresh from making audiences worldwide laugh as Rumi in the hit comedy Colin from Accounts, Virginia is bringing her infectious energy back to Adelaide to transform winter into a celebration of cabaret’s unique magic from 5-21 June.
It’s her second year in a row at the helm, and she’s loving it.
“This job has changed my life, and I’m eternally grateful for it,” Virginia says.
“I didn’t think anything could be more exciting than standing in a spotlight performing. Turns out, what I really love is standing in front of a whiteboard with a team of very sleep-deprived people, solving urgent problems to deliver an incredible evening to an audience.”
And after two years steering the ship, she’s confident she knows exactly how to wow the crowds. “I know what these audiences want, because I have been these audiences,” she says.
What exactly is cabaret?
“Cabaret, for me, in the purest or simplest terms, is stories into song,” Virginia says. “It is irreverent and mischievous, but it also has a fiery heart, a sense of the way that it would fight injustice.”
“Cabaret is a warm hug wrapped in a sequined blanket,” she adds, capturing the essence of why people are drawn to the art form even in the coldest winter months.
It’s also an artform that creates a unique relationship between the audience and performers.
“It reminds you that we are all in this room together, making an experience together. A performer cannot exist without an audience, and an audience has no reason to exist without a performer. It’s symbiotic, and it’s sexy and fun and wild.”
This year’s program showcases cabaret’s versatility through unique events like Between the Covers, a singing book club that beautifully showcases cabaret’s intimate storytelling, and
La Clique, where performers use their bodies to make cabaret in a way that’s “irreverent, mischievous, exposing but also incandescent”.
From Colin from Accounts to running the show
Virginia’s scene-stealing role in Colin from Accounts – playing Rumi, the new girlfriend of Ashley’s (Harriet Dyer) best friend Megan (Emma Harvie) – is the latest highlight in a stellar career spanning acting, singing, writing, and directing.
“That [Colin from Accounts] dinner party scene – play a little loop at my funeral,” she jokes. “I think it might actually be the best work in my career.”
“Honestly, [add] clips from Calamity Jane, maybe somebody reading a bit of Cyrano, and then singing one cabaret song – that’s my whole life!”
Despite being longtime friends with the show’s creators, Dyer and husband Patrick Brammal, Virginia admits she went “mega fangirl” on set.
“I had to text Patrick afterwards to say ‘Mate, I’m sorry I went so insane on your set. It just happens to be that you’ve created one of my favourite things in the entire world, and I’m a mega fan – before I’m an actor or your friend, it would appear!’”
Now embracing what she jokingly calls her “villain era,” Virginia says, “I’m with Rumi – no more good girls, no more nice guys. Bring on the complex characters and a bit of chaos!”
Celebrating 25 years of cabaret magic
The 25th anniversary of Adelaide Cabaret Festival holds special meaning for Virginia, who has enjoyed it as a fan, performer, and now Artistic Director.
“If you’d told me five years ago I’d be Artistic Director, I’d have said ‘No way! Me? In the same job as the likes of David Campbell, Kate Ceberano, Alan Cumming? Never!’” she marvels.
The milestone year pays tribute to cabaret legends like Carlotta, who performed at the very first Adelaide Cabaret Festival and returns as a true cabaret icon – “as fabulous as ever, hilarious, brilliant, game-changing” – and David Campbell, whom Virginia calls “categorically one of the greatest voices Australia has ever produced”.
Hidden gems: Virginia’s must-see recommendations
Among the festival’s diverse lineup, Virginia enthusiastically highlights several must-see performances by emerging performers:
- Tabitha Booth by Frankie McNair: “Doing extraordinary game-changing modern alternative musical comedy.”
- The Burton Brothers – 1925: “Bonkers sketch comedy set entirely in 1925.”
- Demi Adejuyigbe Is Going To Do One (1) Backflip: “When people saw Andy Kaufman 30 years ago, I think that’s what people will see when they see Demi,” highlighting his revolutionary approach to performance art.
- Home by Rizo: “The most exciting cabaret in its purest form – irreverent and mischievous, with a fiery heart.”
- Marry Your Friends: “A joyful interactive event to publicly proclaim your friend as your ride-or-die.”
Virginia’s insider tip? Stick around at the Adelaide Festival Centre after your show finishes and join the Late Nights party.
“It’s a winter festival, right? It’s cold, you don’t want to leave, and we don’t want you to leave,” she explains. “The late-night shows start after 9:30 and push into the night.”
“You’ve had a couple of drinks, you’re connected to your community, you’ve made friends – that’s when those spontaneous moments, the unexpected collaborations happen, and the festival really comes alive.
“They’re the nights people remember 10 years later.”
Creating magic in Adelaide’s winter
Adelaide Cabaret Festival is offering the $30 Under 30 initiative in 2025, ensuring the price is right for 20-somethings on a budget.
“We understand money’s tight right now, so we wanted to make sure young people can still experience incredible art,” she explains, noting recommended shows like Demi Adejuyigbe and Marry Your Friends qualify for this special pricing.
The festival’s winter atmosphere also sets it apart. “Audiences dress up, they look spectacular and want to dance and be delighted in the foyers,” Virginia says.
“The vibe feels like a Mardi Gras parade… that we’re all coming together for this one glorious thing. Aren’t we lucky to have that and shouldn’t we take every opportunity to celebrate it?”
Plan and book your Adelaide Cabaret Festival experience here.
