Countdown to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival; Day 4: Simon Burke

One of Australia's best-loved stars Simon Burke returns to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival with the Australian premiere of his brand new show Something About Always.

Tough, funny, uncompromising and brutally honest with his music as well as himself, Simon and musical director Daniel Edmonds share the moments that made the man: in and out of character, in cabaret, in concert, on stage, on TV and on film. From Play School to the Palladium, there's always been something about Simon Burke.

We put Simon in the Cabaret hot-seat with 10 questions in 10 minutes:

1. What are you looking forward to most about coming back to Adelaide and the Adelaide Cabaret Festival?

The Adelaide Cabaret Festival is very close to my heart - some of my most treasured collaborations have been thanks to this wonderful event - playing Burrs in The Wild Party directed by its composer Andrew Lippa, working with Richard Maltby Jnr and David Shire on their new musical Take Flight, and of most of all meeting director and composer Jeremy Sams when I worked with him and Philip Quast in an evening of his work which led to me being invited to star in his production of The Sound of Music in the West End. But this year I'm most looking forward to working at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival because it's my dear friends David and Lisa Campbell's last year as Artistic Directors - I'm so proud of what they've achieved for this festival and I couldn't let their three years at the helm pass without appearing for them at least once.

2. What has been your biggest learning curve so far working as a professional performer?

I make sure that every gig is a big learning curve for me because I try to challenge myself in different ways as much as I can - there's always something to learn.

3. What was it like performing on the West End and how is it different to Australian stages?

There's a particular thrill associated with performing on the West End, I'd be lying if I said there wasn't - but wherever it is in the world I find myself on a stage I'm actually always struck by the similarities more than the differences - performers and theatre workers are pretty much the same wherever you happen to be and that's pretty cool.

4. What can audiences expect from Something About Always?

This is my first solo show in many years and my first with a band - so expect some killer arrangements from my musical director Daniel Edmonds, expect a classy eclectic song list, expect honesty, self-deprecation, sweetness, a bit of raw emotion and hopefully a few laughs - oh yes and you never know there may just be a bear in there...

5. What do you think "Cabaret" is and why is it different to any other performance art?

Cabaret I guess is or should be one of the truest forms of performance art - it's the closest an audience can get to a performer - physically and emotionally - and vice versa

6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

5 year plans are for businessmen not performers, I gave those up years ago.

7. What would be your advice to young people wanting to break into the industry?

Watch and learn from those that have been doing it a long time - I did and it's the only reason I'm still here.

8. What has been your greatest achievement so far?

I think hosting and performing at Carnegie Hall in January 2009 would have to be right up there.

9. Who have been your greatest influences as a performer?
 
They know who they are.

10. Who are your top 5 picks for the 2011 Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

1. Bert La Bonte - When I Fall In Love: The Nat King Cole Story - one of my favourite Australian performers.
2. Robyn Archer - I'd never miss any opportunity to see this inspiring woman
3. Chita Rivera - need I say more?
4. Melinda Schneider - Doris Day: So Much More Than The Girl Next Door
- looks like a fascinating show and no one writes a better bio show than my good friend and collaborator David Mitchell.
5. Daniel Boys - one of the West End's most exciting and up and coming young performers.

Simon Burke
Something About Always
17 - 19 June
6.30pm (17), 7pm (18) & 6pm (19)
Tickets Premium $50 Adult $40 Concession $36
For more information, visit: http://www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au

 

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