Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed 18 June 2014
Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world… thankfully Cabaret Festival favourite Mark Nadler walked into ours. Bringing the roaring twenties to life, he transformed the Space Theatre into a decadent speakeasy for the Australian premiere of Runnin’Wild.
Through notable songs of the era and storytelling of the most thrilling scandals and celebrity gossip, a dapper Nadler presented a splendid show, from his wonderful piano playing to his shiny shoes, red socks and matching ‘kerchief.
Opening with a seamless medley of the Cole Porter hits Let’s Misbehave, Let’s Do It, and Runnin’ Wild (Gibbs/Grey/Wood), Nadler was joined on stage by red-flapper-dressed Sophia MacRae on clarinet (last seen at the Cabaret Fringe Festival on saxophone), and sharp-looking trumpeter Rob Chenoweth. Their melodious and muted jazz and ragtime riffs, indicative of the era, were beautifully complimentary throughout.
As Willie the Weeper turned into Minnie the Moocher, Nadler’s contagious smile effected peak audience participation; his fabulous arrangements of some of the best songs of the day delighting the keen crowd.
Nadler relayed some of the tabloid stories du jour on Jean Malin, Billie ‘Brilliant’ Chang, Aimee Semple McPherson, Libby Holman and Zachary Smith Reynolds; neatly wrapping them in the historical context of American prohibition, and including a gorgeous version of one of Holman’s hits, Body and Soul.
Finally, Nadler thanked cast and crew (all by name), before pounding the piano into next week with a brilliant version of Irving Berlin’s Pack Up Your Sins and Go to the Devil.
Like all the best gin joints, the show contained adult themes, and Nadler worked every angle to his advantage. Despite leaving one question unanswered (is the curse of Kathy Tink real?), the audience loved it, standing to show their appreciation.
Nadler is a great storyteller, a cracking musician and a fabulous showman. Quoting Heywood Broun he said, “The Jazz Age was wicked and monstrous and silly. Unfortunately, I had a good time.”
I feel exactly the same way about Runnin’ Wild.
Reviewed by Gordon Forester
Twitter: @GordonForester
Venue: Space Theatre
Season: season ended
Duration: 70 minutes
The Adelaide Cabaret Festival runs from 6 – 21 June 2014
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