Adelaide Cabaret Festival – Josie Lane: Josie in the Bathhouse

Josie Lane is a pocket rocket of energy with a big voice. She is most noted for her stage performances in shows such as Fame and Avenue Q.

There is no doubt she has talent, with some to spare. Her voice would put Christina Aguilera and her contemporaries to shame.

Adelaide audiences enjoyed some time in the Bathhouse (supposedly based on Bette Midler’s legendary bathhouse shows of the 70’s) complete with a bevy of boys. Despite the star quality of Josie Lane, she is hindered by this poorly constructed cabaret show, directed by the previously pleasing Dean Bryant (creator of Cabaret Festival hits Newley Discovered and Liza on an E).

The dialogue was trying to be bawdy and a little controversial but felt like it was padding for time to let Lane change costumes (unnecessarily – the open bathing suit was cute and appropriate for the setting). Towel boy ‘Michel’ (Michael Griffiths, sprinting in from his Cabaret show, In Vogue: Songs by Madonna) was under-prepared and seemingly lost on stage.

There is a certain standard expected at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival with some stellar productions that are well thought-out and well executed, providing a star vehicle along the way. It is therefore disappointing when the performers make excuses for “ironing out the kinks” or fumbling their way through 60 minutes of performance that does not engage with the audience or have a coherent thread.

Lets hope the good idea for this show is workshopped more before touring elsewhere to avoid further disappointments.