Review by Markus Hamence – What’s The Buzz. Performance date: Saturday 06 June 2026. Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Adelaide Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide, South Australia.
What’s The Buzz? – In concert and conversation with the cast of ‘Superstar’
For one night only, the powerhouse Australian cast of this Olivier Award-winning production united for an exclusive Adelaide Cabaret Festival event.
What’s the Buzz was our access-all-areas backstage pass to the smash-hit musical. We experienced the legendary score like never before as the stars stripped back the spectacle to share the songs we love, interspersed with untold stories and secrets from life on the road.
From the earth-shaking high notes to the candid backstage gossip, this was a rare chance to get up close and personal with Australia’s musical theatre royalty. We entered ready, left utterly converted – this was the gospel truth according to the cast.
Here’s my take below…
The Adelaide Cabaret Festival turned back the clock and cranked up the volume with What’s The Buzz?, a vibrant celebration of Jesus Christ Superstar that brought together an extraordinary collection of performers for a night of musical theatre memories, rock-infused classics and infectious camaraderie. Hosted by the incomparable Reuben Kaye, the evening felt less like a concert and more like a backstage reunion where the audience was invited to pull up a chair and join the conversation.
Sadly, us Adelaidian’s didn’t receive this glorious production of this Australian touring show of ‘Superstar’ in 2025 as our beloved Adelaide Festival Theatre was getting a face-lift. But, step in Adelaide Cabaret Festival Artistic Director Rueben Kaye. He got ‘the band’ back together and presented us an even better version, stripped back, more intimate, more loose and more personal.
“What’s The Buzz? transforms musical theatre nostalgia into a joyous, high-energy celebration led by a cast overflowing with talent and chemistry. Un.freakin.believable!”
Markus Hamence
From the opening moments, the chemistry between Elliot Baker, Mahalia Barnes, Graeme Isaako, Javon King, Peter Murphy, John O’Hara and Michael Paynter was undeniable. Having shared the stage in one of Australia’s most successful productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, the performers slipped effortlessly back into familiar territory, delivering beloved songs with passion, confidence and a genuine affection for both the material and each other. Kicking off with a grand entrance by Mahalia and Rueben, we the audience were granted a back-stage glimpse of what went on during the season run, teasing – ‘What happened on tour, didn’t stay on tour’!
Mahalia Barnes brought her trademark brilliant powerhouse vocals and commanding stage presence, while the soaring Michael Paynter once again proved why he remains one of Australia’s most captivating performers, effortlessly moving between soaring rock anthems and heartfelt storytelling. Graeme Isaako delivered vocals of remarkable depth and richness, while the mad talents of Javon King lit up the stage with charisma and infectious energy. Elliot Baker showcased both vocal versatility and magnetic charm, Peter Murphy brought warmth and humour to the evening, and John O’Hara reminded audiences of his exceptional musicianship and theatrical instinct. It was impossible to not feel the power of them all.
“Reuben Kaye and an all-star lineup prove that the spirit of Jesus Christ Superstar is still very much alive and kicking.”
Markus Hamence
Of course, no gathering led by Reuben Kaye would be complete without a healthy dose of irreverence. Kaye expertly guided the evening, balancing hilarious anecdotes, cheeky observations and genuine moments of reflection. The stories shared between songs offered fascinating insights into life on the road, the challenges of performing such an iconic work and the friendships forged through the experience.
What made What’s The Buzz? so engaging was its ability to celebrate more than just a musical. It celebrated the artists, the audiences who embraced the production, and the enduring power of great songs to bring people together. Every performance felt charged with affection, nostalgia and the thrill of revisiting something that clearly meant so much to everyone on stage.
Part rock concert, part reunion and entirely entertaining, What’s The Buzz? delivered exactly what Adelaide Cabaret Festival audiences crave: exceptional talent, authentic storytelling and unforgettable live performance. By the end of the night, the answer to the show’s title was abundantly clear – the buzz was the undeniable magic created when outstanding performers reconnect with music they love and share it with an audience eager to celebrate alongside them.
Wrapping it up: A triumphant reunion of voices, stories and rock theatre magic that had Adelaide cheering from the first note to the last. Beautiful, joyous and memorable – Proving again ‘music is religion’.
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