Following standing ovations across the country including acclaimed seasons at Sydney Opera House and Queensland Theatre Company, the little red company’s celebrated original production Rumour Has It is coming to NORPA for an exclusive season at Lismore City Hall.
Featuring Australian stage siren Naomi Price, Rumour Has It charts the incredible rise of the blockbuster soul sensation of the modern age live on stage in story and song, with all the upfront British wit and heart-stopping tunes that have made Adele the highest-selling recording artist of the 21st century.
What is it about Adele’s story that you felt would make it a standalone cabaret /show?
Adam Brunes (my co-writer) and I were so fascinated by the impact of Adele’s glorious voice on us compared to the brash honesty of her speaking voice. We felt these two voices were the perfect starting point for a cabaret character. We also fell in love with the raw truth in her songs, and knew that this ‘average girl from Tottenham’ would be a terrific spokeswoman when it came to the facade of fame and celebrity.
What is Adele’s story? I don’t actually know it…
Well, here’s her Wikipedia page if you want the basic points:
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adele.
Essentially, she is a girl from Tottenham who has released three globally successful albums, 19, 21 and 25, and has catapulted herself into worldwide stardom.
Honestly, is it a tribute or a pisstake? Or a bit of both?
We don’t like to refer to our shows as ‘tribute’ shows. Usually we call them ‘pop-culture cabarets’. We use characters based on real-life people to explore notions of celebrity, fame, heartbreak, artistry, childhood, and their songs become the vehicle through which we tell their stories. Rumour Has It started out as a pisstake but when Adam and I started researching Adele, we fell in love with her. We realised very quickly that there was so much depth to her work, and to who she is as a person, and what developed out of our research was an intense respect and admiration for a woman who wears her heart on her sleeve.
Her songs are SOOOO intense. How do you manage to keep the show upbeat with all that spectacular heartache?
Lots and lots of comedy! We use our Adele as a way to voice our own opinions about stupid things famous people do, politics, social trends… Adele isn’t afraid to say things as she sees them, and I think the humour is a refreshing break from the intensity of her deeply emotional songs.
Why are Adele’s songs so powerful that they can get through break-ups?
I think we really connect with the raw truth of her lyrics. There’s something universally affecting about the way she writes songs, and then of course her vocal delivery in the studio. She’s unmatched in the way she evokes emotion. I think listening to sad songs about other people’s break-ups is a cathartic experience – it reminds us that we are not alone in our sadness.
What gave you the idea to do this show?
Neither Adam nor I can be sure where the idea started, but we are certain it involved wine! We were given the opportunity to perform a 15-minute version at a cabaret open mic night back in 2012, and then Brisbane Cabaret Festival asked us to write the full-length show. We have been touring it around the country every since – a very happy accident!
What should we expect for Lismore?
You can expect a memorable, outrageously funny, and extremely moving night at the theatre. No two shows are ever the same. We are always rewriting sections of the show and adding new lines and jokes. I never underestimate the power of the audience – they are the real stars and I look forward to meeting new faces every time we perform this show!
Rumour Has it: Adele – Her Life and Song, featuring Naomi Price and a 6 piece band. Friday 22 and Saturday 23 July, 7.30pm.
NORPA at Lismore City Hall. Lucky door prizes for best Adele lookalike! Tickets: www.norpa.org.au or 1300 066 772.
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