Bad Hand

Natalie Abbott’s career has flourished since being plucked as an unknown artist to take the lead in the second tour of Muriel’s Wedding the Musical.

The singer is now a go-to performer for any new Australian musical, having scored leads in Zombies, The Lovers and The Deb – which is making its overdue cinema release in a few months.

Natalie’s acting skills have also seen her make regular TV drama appearances (Aftertaste ABC) giving her a further national profile.

For someone so blessed in respect of career, it is ironic in one sense that the title of her first cabaret is Bad Hand, focussing on bad luck at cards.

Almost every career wish has come true for Natalie. Why is she focussing on misfortune?

The reason is that career success means nothing if there is private heartache.

In 2025 Abbott revealed the tragic news that her partner Ryan Cuskelly had passed away from a severe illness.

The cabaret begins with Natalie asking her grandmother – who was in the audience on opening night – about how she coped with the grief of becoming a widow.

Their shared connection was very touching in what was a thoughtful cabaret about meditation, grief and loss.

Musically there many highlights. Natalie’s gorgeous voice shone in sparkling arrangements of Rodgers and Hammerstein, international pop ballads and Aussie rock songs such “Throw Your Arms Around Me” by The Hunters and Collectors.

The 4-piece band, led by Musical Director Ben Kiehne on a glass Grand, Rhys Fuller on guitar, Alysa Portelli on drums and Dom Cabus on bass blended beautifully.

This cabaret was first performed in Adelaide, and it is very brave of the artist to open herself up so soon after suffering such a loss.

Natalie was a little nervous on opening night and lost her place at one stage – which was quickly remedied with humour and forgiven by all the love in the room.

There is room for growth in this piece which might have incorporated some of the songs from new Australian musicals which she has performed in.  I wanted to hear about the perspective of an artist outside of the cookie cutter mould getting regular leads.

Or perhaps that might be the subject of a different cabaret down the track.

David Spicer

Image: Bad Hand - Natalie Abbott - Credit Adelaide Cabaret Fest & Claudio Raschella