Alfie Boe & Variety Gala Announced for Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2026

Image: Adelaide Cabaret Festival Artistic Director Reuben Kaye. Photographer: Claudio Raschella.

Adelaide Cabaret Festival has announced the first major headline act for its 2026 program, international musical theatre star Alfie Boe, alongside The 2026 Variety Gala.

With a career spanning opera, Broadway, and chart-topping albums, Boe is best known for his portrayal of Jean Valjean in Les Misérables including the 25th Anniversary Concert at London’s O2 Arena and the global Arena Spectacular Tour. He recently returned to the role for the sold-out 40th Anniversary Gala, earning rave reviews across performances in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

Boe (pictured right) will make his Adelaide Cabaret Festival debut on Monday 15 June at Festival Theatre, performing a selection of his greatest hits, fan favourites, and songs from his latest solo album, Facing Myself. He will be joined by Australian American soprano Amy Manford who is renowned for her portrayal of Christine Daaé in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End.

The festival will officially kick off with the 2026 Variety Gala on Thursday 4 June at Festival Theatre, hosted by Artistic Director Reuben Kaye. The red-carpet event promises a night of music, comedy, and cabaret, with a line-up of local and international talent to be announced soon.

The gala’s going late! There will be a free after-party, a piano bar set with Trevor Jones, and a soon to be announced late night show in the Banquet Room.

Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2026 Artistic Director Reuben Kaye: “The gala! Can you believe they’re letting me host THE GALA? And I have to say apart from a few exceptions they’ve been very open to my ideas… they’ve only told me the seats in the front row are definitely not waterproof and the Festival Theatre doesn’t have the “infrastructure” to support livestock.

“I can’t begin to describe the joy, the excitement and pure adrenaline of taking the reins of the Festival I love so dearly and to host The 2026 Variety Gala is the cherry on top. The true night of the festival (bar closing night of course!) this year’s gala promises to be a smorgasbord of outlandish talent and a jewel in the crown of Australia’s artistic calendar. And wherever there’s a crown, this queen is ready and waiting.”

Adelaide Festival Centre CEO Kate Gould: “We’re thrilled to invite audiences back to our refreshed venues in June 2026 for an unforgettable experience led by the incredible Reuben Kaye. We look forward to welcoming our passionate cabaret community once again.”

The 2026 Variety Gala is on Thursday 4 June 2026 and Alfie Boe is on Monday 15 June 2026 at Festival Theatre, Adelaide Festival Centre. Tickets for both shows are on sale Thursday 30 October at 10am.

Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2026 opens 4 June and runs until 21 June 2026. The full Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2026 program will be revealed next April.