Adelaide Cabaret Festival – Gillian Cosgriff: Watressing, and Other Things I Do Well

Gillian Cosgriff may be fresh out of uni and down on her luck in the performing arts game, but this reviewer does not expect that to last for long.

With a fresh, irreverent and well-structured cabaret production, Cosgriff takes us on a journey through the challenging life of an out-of-work 20-something perfomer in Melbourne and the crappy jobs she has to do to pay the bills. She not only sings, she plays piano and has a wit and grounded reality that is completely endearing… and the audience responded with warmth.

Cosgriff performed a collection of songs of which she wrote most, each giving a glimpse into a quirky life.  Highlights included a song about waiting for the man to say ‘I love you’ and the insightful ‘Song Song’. The treat though was a cover of Ke$ha’s ‘Tick Tock’ that really was better than the original. Winner of the Julie Michael Award for Musical Cabaret and the Showcase Award at the Annual Sydney Cabaret Showcase, Cosgriff is on her way up.

She is a contemporary performer who could just as easily be seen on a music festival concert stage with hints of Regina Spektor or Missy Higgins.

For the sake of Cabaret, lets hope Cosgriff sticks with it as none of us are tilting our head saying… “not quite what we’re looking for”… we’re cheering and clapping and asking for more!