How would you describe cabaret as a genre?

I think it’s easier to define cabaret by what it isn’t than what it is. It always seems to wriggle away from definition. To me, cabaret is that moment when an artist can transition from one mode to another, with the audience leaning into that transformation. The audience has to be in on it. And also booze. Good booze helps; bad booze helps more.

Reuben Kaye, Artistic Director of the 2026 Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
Photo © Claudio Raschella

Why did you choose Delicious Revolution as the theme for this year’s festival?

Have you been paying attention to the world? Name another art form that is so closely associated with making fun of malevolent power structures? From British music hall to Berlin’s speakeasies, cabaret has always been the velvet glove, the art form ‘against’ . . . For me, cabaret is the original punk before electric music came on the scene.

A difficult question, but what do you see as some of this year’s highlights?

That is an unfair question! But just between us, I think Monsieur Camembert will be truly gorgeous. I’m really excited to...