Paul Capsis is truely one of Australia’s most versatile and talented performers. I remember hearing him sing When Doves Cry at the launch of Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet at the Sydney Town Hall over twenty years ago. He left me in awe then and tonight at the Spiegeltent he did it again.
Despite not having found a huge mainstream success despite the incredible voice, he has managed to find the sort of longevity that most artist dream of. In cabaret and theatre circles he is legendary, he has five Helpmanns, two Green Rooms one AFI. The awards and longevity are due to his determination, talent and versatility. “I have just returned from doing a pantomime in London” he quips to the audience. He was starring in the State Theatre Company of South Australia’s Rumpelstiltskin at the Southbank Centre in which he got rave reviews (even if the show didn’t). Add to that, he was part of a stunning cast (Meow Meow, Kanen Breen and Jacqui Dark) in the Victorian Opera and Malthouse Theatre’s, Black Rider. Theatrical standouts in recent years are Angela’s Kitchen at Griffin, Resident Alien with STC/Malthouse and Cabaret at Hayes.
Tonight it was just Paul and the talented Jethro Woodward (musical director and band leader) and artists from the Fitzroy Youth Orchestra on stage and doing what he does best – cabaret – having fun and giving songs the Capsis’ treatment. Capsis allows his love of 
rock to infuse this show. It a strange and eclectic mix of sings – exactly what you would expect. Opening with his version of Skyhooks’ Ego Is Not A Dirty Word through to Songs by Patti Smith, Tom Waits , Janis Joplin, Led Zeppelin and Lou Reed. The quality of his range and voice is indisputable. There is not a lot of conversation with the audience (except a few throw away lines referring to the death of Sydney’s night life and the horror of a Trump world), then it’s into the next song. After all that is what the audience came for, his voice.
When the show ended I felt a little ripped off. A short gig? But no, 80 minutes had flown by and it was time to let Marcia and the Pigalle team into the venue. There is only one more show on Friday night and not sure if there are many tickets left. If there are, close this page and go to the festival page and book a ticket.
Lynden Jones, Theatre Now
