Categories: Reviews

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

Sherie Rene Scott

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.

Hayley Horton

Hayley was an arts worker in South Australia for twelve years working freelance for small to medium clients as well as for companies such as the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, State Theatre Company SA, Urban Myth Theatre of Youth and the Australia Business Arts Foundation. As part of her freelance work, Hayley founded the ATG Curtain Call Awards (which is now an annual gala event), co-produced three 24 Hour Show charity fundraiser events, has judged for the Adelaide Fringe Festival and reviewed for Aussie Theatre and the Adelaide Theatre Guide. Hayley now runs a boutique events and arts management business, Footlight Events and in her spare time, is involved with Adelaide’s amateur theatre community as a producer, performer and director.