Eddie Perfect: Songs From The Middle

Eddie Perfect: Songs From The Middle
Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Dunstan Playhouse. June 18 – 20, 2015

Eddie Perfect has gone back to Mentone to revisit his childhood and with it he has discovered a cabaret show dedicated to the town he could not get out of quick enough as a youth. Perfect has that down to earth quality with a touch of class. His compositions carry sincerity and humour, which is very Australian. Looking dapper in his suit and tie, his wayward hair gives you solace that the larrikin still lives within.

This show pays homage to that little Victorian town by the water; failed romances, crushes and a sense of belonging is also touched on. Beautiful melodies flow from a large band directed by Iain Grandage, but there are many added surprises. Lyrics that tickle the funny-bone and have you nodding as you relate to the subject matter. Songs dedicated to love and flat packed furniture or his sister who worked at Bunnings, his ear for the absurd is classic Perfect, but then he changes mood with sentimental tunes that catch you by surprise.

He urges the audience to sing with him as he warbles about peace and it has an almost hypnotic feel. A tender moment is shared.

Whether this showman is tinkling the ivories or singing centre stage, he is special, with a lovely range to his voice and a modesty that comes across despite his abundance of talent.

Kerry Cooper

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