Melbourne Cabaret Festival Offers Deals, Free Shows, and More

Group dinner and show package

Get together a group of six or more and gain access to a specially-priced $30 per person dinner (shared tapas plate, main course, and a beer or wine) at one of Melbourne's most atmospheric restaurants.

This mystery dinner deal is exclusive to Melbourne Cabaret Festival audiences, offered at such a special price that other diners at this popular restaurant would be green with envy if we were to make its identity public.

What we can tell you is that it is located within a block of Chapel Off Chapel and that the restaurant will make sure you get to your show on time.

Whether you're about to book in as a group or already have, email us for details.

New show - Helpmann Award winner joins the Festival

We're excited to announce a late edition into our Festival, with Helpmann Award-winning performerTrevor Jones to debut his eagerly awaited new show 'KOLLISION'.

Trevor is an acclaimed cabaret performer, opera conductor, musical theatre teacher and rock and roll piano bar entertainer.

Sometimes he gets confused though. "What happens when a performer works in too many different musical styles at the same time?" he ponders.

"What happens when Miley Cyrus gets reinterpreted in many different styles? When Wagner meets Beyonce? When Aretha Franklin sings Les Miserables? When Jim Steinman touches anything?" asks Trevor.

Safe in the knowledge that the show is set to be the musical equivalent of a wrecking ball, we simply respond with a question of our own: "Are you actually going to wear that costume on stage?"

To find out, come see what happens when musical worlds collide, 7pm, Thursday 26 and Friday 27 June at Chapel Off Chapel.

This show will also appear in the Tasmanian Cabaret Festival on Monday 7 July.

FREE show number one

"Show-off at Chapel" presents MELBOURNE CABARET FESTIVAL PREVIEW NIGHT

Chapel Off Chapel, 10.15pm Friday 6 June
Tickets: FREE, no need to book in advance

Why be "Desperate and Dateless" on a Friday night?
Come to Chapel Off Chapel to hear Ginger & Tonic, described as "Pitch Perfect meets the Spice Girls" - Theatre Press

Won't you Boop-Boop-A-Doop with Laura McCulloch? She plays the 1930s cartoon character Betty Boop as you've never seen her before - in the flesh & in 4-D.

Be entertained by Caity Fowler and Emma Ford. Masterfully delivered through original song and text, 'I, Divine' explores and challenges the ideas of faith, self-belief and the notion of what it means to be 'online'.

And delve into the rich catalogue of one of France and the world's most recognizable singer/songwriters, Charles Aznavour, with Evan Lever.

The bar is open, the "cabachook" raffle is ready, there's no cost to watch and no need to book in advance ... all we need is you. What better way to preview what show you want to see in the Melbourne Cabaret Festival?

FREE show number two

Cabaret is going national ... with Radio National

RADIO NATIONAL'S 80s CABARET DISCO EXTRAVAGANZA!

Chapel Off Chapel, 6pm Tuesday 17 June
Tickets: FREE, but you need to book in advance

Broadcast across Australia, this show will celebrate the thriving Melbourne cabaret scene.

There will be performances by many of the stars of the Melbourne Cabaret Festival and interviews by RN host Michael Cathcart.

Geraldine Quinn - sing-along queen of 80's apocalyptic disco
Elise McCann - who really really loves Lucy
Mike McLeish (Keating The Musical) is planning to change the world - with cabaret; and
Michael Dalley and John Thorn bemoan bad art on the Mornington Peninsular.

Door-prize for the person in best 80's glitz ... and the best sunnies.

Be part of the audience for free here.

Arrive by 5.45pm to enable the show to start on time.
Show & interviews start at 6pm sharp. Strictly no late arrivals permitted.
Duration: one hour

Closing Gala host announced

With the Opening Gala close to selling out, we're turning our attention to the line-up for theClosing Gala.

First up, we're very excited to announce that award-winning comedian Sammy J will host the final night of the festival. More acts will be announced soon.

The night will double as a fundraiser for the not-for-profit Festival. Sammy J has even offered to write a song for an audience member and perform it that night!

If you have an auction item that you're able to donate please get in touch with us.

Thank you to our sponsors for making the Festival possible - the Ron and Margaret Dobell Foundation, the City of Boroondara, the City of Stonnington, Yarra Trams, Yamaha Music Australia, Quest on Dorcas, TressCox Lawyers and Channel 31.

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