Sherie Rene Scott – a shining star of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival

On the opening weekend of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, we saw a real life Disney princess (Lea Salonga). By the closing weekend, we have come full circle with a real life Disney villian. Sherie Rene Scott might have voiced Ursula in Disney’s The Little Mermaid, but this is just a drop in her illustrious career which includes theatre, recordings, producing, etc.

Although apologising for not being in full voice and containing perhaps a few “opening night” nerves, Scott has a captivating presence on stage. Backed only by a pianist and bass player, the audience is taken on a strange journey through a life of vegetarianism, opposable thumbs, Paul McCartney and the Dalai Lama. It’s a kooky story that takes a little while to settle, but keeps you on the edge of your seat with intrigue.

The story is interspersed with a range of songs, filled with soul and a strong connection with the text. In a festival full of broadway standards, Scott’s set list is refreshingly full of lesser known pieces that have a central heart and emotion that continues to draw us in.

[pull_left]Sherie Rene Scott was a fitting finale to a fantastic festival and the cherry on the the broadway superstar treats we’ve indulged upon this year[/pull_left]

The quirky banter and fragility of Scott coupled with a sexy, sultry “knowingness” is a magical combination and her vocals soar to heights of musical enlightenment (she is buds with the Dalai Lama after all).

A shout out must go to Alana Dawes on bass, one of the many musos provided by the Adelaide Art Orchestra. Dawes has a appeared in a couple of shows and is a joy to watch, evidently a superb musician and demonstrates a real connection to the music, which is thrilling.

Difficult to describe yet every bit captivating, Sherie Rene Scott was a fitting finale to a fantastic festival and the cherry on the the broadway superstar treats we’ve indulged upon this year.