Countdown to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival; Day 5: Mike McLeish

Mike McLeish scaled the heights of Australian Musical Theatre playing the title role in the wildly successful Keating! The Musical. Mike was part of the original workshop production and toured with the show for 3 years.

Relive Keating! here: http://youtu.be/dDvtwXSEJVA

Mike returns to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival with his new show The World Is Winning, which recently played at the Spiegeltent in Melbourne.

Two years after the final curtain falls on Keating!, Mike finds himself squeezing into skin-tight, silver snakeskin spandex pants and applying way too much eye makeup. Mike is working at Dracula's Theatre Restaurant, and he is not happy. Joined onstage by a superb four-piece band, including members from Keating! and Shane Warne The Musical.

Here is a sneak peak of The World Is Winning from Mike's Melbourne season at the Spiegeltent: http://youtu.be/dRqgRgQJ-vg

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

1. What are you looking forward to most about coming back to the Adelaide and the Adelaide Cabaret Cabaret Festival?
I have very fond memories of the cabaret festival. It's truly unique in its atmosphere and its programming. Plus it seems to really light a fire in Adelaide's artistic belly, for performers and audiences alike.

2. What has been your biggest learning curve so far working as a professional performer?
One of the joys of being a performer is the fact that - from job to job - a steep learning curve is pretty much par for the course. I suppose my biggest learning curve has involved realizing that success is relative. Oh yeah, and figuring out that the quest for fame is pure, steaming bulls%#t. That was a real bummer.

3. What would be your ultimate role in music theatre?
Patrick Bateman.

4. What can audiences expect from The World Is Winning?
The band is just fantastic. Every time we play the songs they sound better. Overall the show's a big bucket of fun. We have a ball doing it, and I like to think that that joy spills into the audience. And I confess to getting a masochistic kick out of airing my dirty laundry on stage.

5. What do you think "Cabaret" is and why is it different to any other performance art?
Cabaret is a distilled concoction of all that's good about live performance. Cabaret sets itself apart because of its respect for and connection to its audience.

6. Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
In five years I'll be turning forty, so I see myself being regularly drunk and overly reflective. Remarkably similar to now.

7. What would be your advice to young people wanting to break into the industry?
Stay busy. Create your own work. Stay busy. Surround yourself with people who inspire you. Stay busy. And yep, stay busy.

8. What has been your greatest achievement so far?
My children.

9. Who have been your greatest influences as a performer?
I have some very dear friends who have also been unwitting mentors to me. Most of the people who influence and inspire me as a performer are my contemporaries. I think Australia's performing arts industry is in the midst of very exciting times.

10. Who are your top 5 picks for the 2011 Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
Top 5?! Are you serious? Have you seen this year's program? Sheesh, ok then. In no particular order:
1. I could listen to Paul Capsis sing the phonebook. Actually, I might pitch him that idea.
2. Ali McGregor's late night spots will be a veritable cabaret feast.
3. Can't wait to hit The Jitterbug Club.
4. As a songwriter, I look forward to bowing down before Jimmy Webb.
5. Olivia Newton-John. I better shape up.

Have a great festival!

Mike McLeish
The World Is Winning
23 - 25 June
6.30pm (23), 7.15pm (24 & 25)
Tickets Adult $28 Concession $34
More information [here]. Link: http://www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au/Mike-McLeish.aspx?showid=41

"...You will laugh yourself stupid at the gut-wrenching awfulness of it all. Inspiring, funny and moving." Eddie Perfect

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.