The Cabaret Collective is made up of nine Artistic Directors – each plays a role in the 2023 Adelaide Cabaret Festival by curating or performing shows from their cabaret genres in a stellar program.

Julia Holt

Artistic Director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival (2001 – 2008)

Julia was Adelaide Cabaret Festival’s very first Artistic Director, with over 25 years of international and national experience in key creative roles across the performing arts industry.

"Right from the very first Festival in 2001, we could sense, almost touch, an artistic wave of incredible energy, enthusiasm and expertise that is the contemporary artform of cabaret. It is an absolute honour and personal delight to be in such stellar company with the fellow Artistic Directors as the Cabaret Collective to, again, celebrate in Adelaide, the artists and audiences who enrich our lives, connect our shared humanity and make the party swing."

David & Lisa Campbell

Artistic Director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival (2009 – 2011)

David is one of Australia’s most popular entertainers, as well as an ARIA winning and multi-platinum selling recording artist. He has been featured on TV, starred in theatre and cabaret, recorded 13 albums, and performed sold out-concert tours from coast to coast. Lisa is a producer, casting director, and founder of Luckiest Production (2007). She is currently the International Casting Director for Moulin Rouge!: The Musical – casting the production in Australia, Korea and Japan.

“Working at Adelaide Cabaret Festival has been a career highlight for us both, and to be asked back to be part of the Cabaret Collective is an honour. We cannot wait to work alongside the other incredible Artistic Directors – to create the most exciting program so far!”

Kate Ceberano

Artistic Director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival (2012 – 2014)

Kate is the voice of a generation. From teenage sensation fronting the trailblazing 80’s pop-funk band ‘I’m Talking’, to delivering 5 consecutive hits and a platinum debut album, Kate became a superstar of the Countdown era, co-hosting many episodes with Molly Meldrum, and so much more.

“My tenure as Artistic Director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival for three years was such a joy and such a gift, and I learned so much about my craft and audiences. We’re going to bring everyone to the campfire in 2023 and all your hosts who have been there over the years will be there again to point you towards your memories of the festival.”

Eddie Perfect

Artistic Director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival (2016 – 2017)

Eddie is one of Australia’s most diverse, respected, and prolific writer/composer/performers. His most recent work as Composer of Beetlejuice The Musical on Broadway won him a nomination for Best Original Score at the 2019 Tony Awards.

“I first performed at Adelaide Cabaret Festival in 2003 and fell in love with this notion of a festival that not only celebrates cabaret but allows people to connect with artists from so many different genres. There’s nothing like it in Australia. It’s a bold experiment having so many of us coming back but I’m all in for an experiment. It’s a great way to explore cabaret, look back at what’s been done in the past but also look forward together.”

Julia Zemiro

Artistic Director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival (2019 – 2020)

Julia is a French-born Australian actress, host and producer, arguably best known for her role as host of the long-running SBS hit TV program RocKwiz, feel-good ABC series Home Delivery, as well as being co-host for the Eurovision Song Contest (2008-2016).

“Adelaide Cabaret Festival features some of the best performances you’ll see, so many different stories and genres from drama, comedy, and dance. I’m looking forward to being back in that atmosphere and seeing past Artistic Directors coming together and celebrating Adelaide Festival Centre’s 50th Anniversary at the gala night.”

Alan Cumming

Artistic Director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival (2021)

Actor, author, and director, Alan was named one of the three most fun people in show business by Time Magazine (along with Cher and Stanley Tucci!). His most recent projects include creating a dance theatre piece about the Scottish bard Robert Burns, lip-synching the protagonist in a documentary, directing a podcast series about a sperm bank heist, playing a gangster opposite Liam Neeson in a Neil Jordan film, curating our very own Adelaide Cabaret Festival, and recording a duet with a Gaelic rapper.

“When I was asked to be artistic director I really thought long and hard about the form of cabaret itself, and one of the things I realised was that it has been a bit hijacked by musical theatre. So, I really tried to present a program that showed the true variety of possibilities the cabaret form encompasses.”

Tina Arena

Artistic Director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival (2022)

Tina is an iconic Australian singer-songwriter, record producer, actress and performing artist. Voted Australia’s greatest female singer of all time in 2013, her contribution to the Australian entertainment industry is undeniable. After four decades in music, Tina continues to shape the landscape of Australian music by offering inspiration, wisdom, and encouragement to new artists.

“I discovered that what thrills me most about Cabaret as a genre is its audacity, its wit, and its spontaneity. You’re never quite sure where the songs and stories will take you and what will surprise you along the way. Last year we promised to lead you astray. May the path be long and winding.”

More information from the 2023 Adelaide Cabaret Festival edition of WeekendPlus: