Larry Paradiseo and the Fabulous Dame Farrar

They say there is nothing like a Dame, and there is certainly no one else quite like The Fabulous Dame Farrar who returned to the Brisbane stage last night, fresh from a stint at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. One part Judy Garland, one part Shirley Bassey - two parts drunk!

There is also nothing subtle about this hilarious cabaret diva as she miraculously sings her way through such classics as Peggy Lee’s Fever and Frank Sinatra’s My Way, all while desperately trying to hold it together on stage.

This ‘Dame’ is the very clever stage creation of Women in Voice legend Carita Farrer who has carefully crafted this comic character over the past ten years.

From the moment she weaves her way through the audience with a parody of Pink’s Get The Party Started (“I’m standing up, so you’d better get this party started”)to her closing number, Dame Farrar has the audience in-stitches with ‘tales’ of her famous mother, the well known European opera diva; about being forced to live in the orchestra pit of the theatre her mother was performing in; her 7 failed marriages (although sometimes she says it is 11); and a hilarious audience participation moment with two girls who become her backing dancers.

Maestro Stephen Russell provides magnificent accompaniment on the grand piano, all while acting as the straight man to the Diva’s non-stop stage antics.

The second half of Carita Farrer’s own ‘double-bill’ saw the arrival of the sleazy international guest artist Larry Paradiseo, the self-proclaimed American showbiz god, who has more moves than Mick Jagger, and a way with the ladies that makes Tom Jones look a little limp.

In fact Larry’s vocal stylings can best be described as a mix of Tom Jones with a touch of Prince thrown in for good measure.

Larry knows no bounds. He thinks he is THE ladies man as he meanders through the audience, strutting his own brand of Mister Cool, enticing the ladies with his manly charms.

The finale with Larry Paradieso doing a tribute to Eurovision winner Conchita in a see-through red chiffon caftan, has to be seen to be believed.

Farrer’s two alter egos certainly make for fun night out. And as she proved with her encore – she sure can sing.

What more can I say? Plenty of laughs. A standing ovation. The show is Farrabulous! Don’t miss it!

Paul Dellit