Operatic soprano and cabaret diva Ali McGregor’s show Decadence is a remarkable and witty virtuoso cross-genre romp. Her sparkling and funny performance displays an extraordinary breadth, both stylistically and in terms of her remarkable vocal range. Thank goodness she ran away from the opera and into the arms of the beautiful, freakish carnies. 

The show’s delicious arrangements marry some of McGregor’s favourite pop songs, especially from her teens and early twenties, with what she wryly terms ‘legit jazz’. The opening number is a buoyant, sexy intertwining of the gutsy standard ‘Feelin Good’ and the syncopated, melancholy groove of ‘Feel Good Inc’ from virtual hip hop act Gorillaz. McGregor barely has the first syllable of the opening lyric “birds flying high” out of her mouth and I’m hers, forever and always.

I’m a bit wary of using the term ‘mash ups’ for the show’s skilful, pomo cabaret arrangements, as that implies that is a novelty act – the sort of novelty act that McGregor, I’m sure, could easily crush with one of her impressive heels, or shatter with her extraordinary coloratura. Oh, and she looks a dream; I come away unexpectedly with some serious jumpsuit envy. The Festival is full of surprises.

There’s a sparkling, cheeky playfulness to these sometimes wonderfully unexpected encounters: a boogie woogie medley of singles from 90s dark electro rockers The Prodigy, Britpop group Blur’s ‘Song 2’ by way of Yma Sumac, Britney Spears’ faux-innocent teen pop tarted up through the outright, lip-biting sex appeal of New Orleans jazz.

McGregor is joined by Aussie pianist and talented musical director Sam Keevers, who gamely takes on the role of fall guy, and two local musicians, bassist Richie Pickard and drummer Cameron Burnett. It’s a delight to watch the warm, relaxed back-and-forth between the four, and it feels as if they’ve been playing together for years. It’s unfortunate, though, that when things get raucous Pickard’s double bass gets a little lost in the sound mix; I find myself straining to hear him, especially when he’s using his bow.

Ali McGregor is a gracious, charming and funny host whose laidback nature makes everything look deceptively simple. It’s an appreciative crowd, albeit a quiet one, which perhaps reflects the early start time, yet she quickly develops a generous rapport. This show would be ideal in a cabaret setting with a liberal sprinkling of cocktails, but the Great Hall at 6pm will do.

I loved this show. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll tip over your beer (or at least I did, oops), you’ll give her your money, then you’ll go home and listen to her all over again. Encore!

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