Tina Arena announced as Artistic Director for Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2022

Adelaide Festival Centre is thrilled to announce iconic Australian singer-songwriter, record producer, actress and consummate performer Tina Arena AM will take on the role of Artistic Director for the 2022 Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

– Adelaide Cabaret Tina Arena Festival Artistic Director 2022
Photo by Bernard Gueit

On the final night of this year’s festival (Saturday, June 26), outgoing Adelaide Cabaret Festival Artistic Director, Alan Cumming passed on the baton at the sold-out Club Cumming in The Famous Spiegeltent, while celebrating one of the most successful years in the festival’s history.

This year, Adelaide Festival Centre’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival featured more than 180 artists performing over 12 dazzling days and nights with 44 sold-out performances and more than 34,000 attendances at ticketed and free events, with Club Cumming proving to be the hottest ticket in town.

An ARIA Hall of Fame inductee and accomplished international performer, incoming Artistic Director Tina Arena’s work has ranged from musical theatre (most recently playing the lead role of Eva Peron in the Australian production of Evita), to classical, rock, pop, dance and even indie.

She has shared the stage with world-renowned artists including Lionel Richie, Donna Summer, Marc Anthony, Andrea Bocelli and Antonio Banderas.

Tina Arena is one of Australia’s highest-selling artists, having sold over 10 million records worldwide and singing in English, Italian, French and Spanish. Her musical theatre credits include the West End production of Chicago in 2007 as Roxie Hart and in 2002 she played the role of Sally Bowles in Cabaret at Sydney’s State Theatre.

Tina Arena’s remarkable career began at the tender age of eight as a favourite on Young Talent Time where “Tiny Tina” with the big voice became a household name. Voted Australia’s greatest female singer of all time in 2013, Tina’s stunningly powerful voice remains unparalleled after 40 years in the industry and she has inspired generations of Australians, paving the way for upcoming Australian female artists to reach new heights within the Australian music industry.

I am so looking forward to getting stuck into programming next year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival as Artistic Director and working with some incredible artists I’ve come to know, love and respect over my decades working in Australia and internationally, Arena said.

Performing is my lifeblood, I love to sing and connect with audiences through story-telling and the incredible power of music – to me this is at the heart of cabaret.

I’m so ready to take on this role and share my love of art, music, performance and of course cabaret with Australian audiences in Adelaide – a place I’ve always loved for its extraordinary arts and culture scene and its welcoming people.

Outgoing Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2021 Artistic Director Alan Cumming commented:

This year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival has been nothing short of joyous, vibrant and elating! To be able to connect with audiences again after such a tumultuous time has been a heart-felt experience for artists, myself included, and audiences alike. Cabaret is such a vital form of connection for us all through music, dance, and comedy.

Thanks to our fabulous audiences for your enthusiasm and support, I have felt so welcomed and loved by you all and I’ve had such a ball both entertaining you on stage and dancing the night away at Club Cumming every weekend.

I wish Tina Arena all the best as new AD of this beloved winter festival, and hopefully I’ll get to see you all again soon!

Tina Arena, AM, is an iconic Australian singer-songwriter, record producer, actress and performing artist. Voted Australia’s greatest female singer of all time in 2013, her stunningly powerful voice remains unparalleled after 40 years in the industry. Tina Arena’s extensive career began at the tender age of eight as a favourite on Australia’s longest running variety show Young Talent Time.

Tina’s musical theatre journey is as impressive as her recording career, with critically acclaimed performances in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Nine, Cabaret, Chicago, and Notre-Dame de Paris on London’s West End. Tina’s incredible talent gained her the attention of Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, who invited her to sing at his star-studded 50th Birthday Concert held at the Royal Albert Hall. Tina opened the show with a moving rendition of Whistle Down the Wind. In 2018, Tina played the lead role of Eva Peron in the Australian production of Evita, directed by the legendary Grammy Award winner, Hal King. The Australian production was only approved by Andrew Lloyd Webber upon the signing of Tina in the lead.

Tina Arena’s first album Don’t Ask, sold 2 million copies worldwide and reached a record 10 x platinum in Australia, undoubtedly securing Tina’s place as an integral part of Australian popular culture. In 1995, Tina made history by becoming the first female artist to win both song and album of the year at the Australian Record Industry Awards (ARIAS). Her music and success have not only inspired generations of Australians, but her presence has paved the way for upcoming Australian female artists to reach new heights within the Australian music industry. In 2015, Tina was officially inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

In addition to her successful music career, Tina regularly lends her talents to help others and support charitable organisations at home and abroad. In 2011, Arena became the first Australian to be awarded a Knighthood of the French National Order of Merit, presented by the President of the French Republic, for her contributions to French culture.

In 2016, Tina was appointed a Member in the General Division of the Order of Australia for significant service to the music industry as a singer, songwriter and recording artist, and as a supporter of charitable groups. Tina Arena’s contribution to the Australian entertainment industry is undeniable. After four decades in music, Tina continues to shape the landscape of Australian music by offering inspiration, wisdom, and encouragement to new artists. Her music provides the soundtrack to the lives of generations of Australians.

Photo Credit: Callum Sims

Peter J Snee

Peter is a British born creative, working in the live entertainment industry. He holds an honours degree in Performing Arts and has over 12 years combined work experience in producing, directing and managing artistic programs & events. Peter has traversed the UK, Europe and Australia pursuing his interest in theatre. He is inspired by great stories and passionately driven by pursuing opportunities to tell them.

Peter J Snee

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