Adelaide Festival Centre is thrilled to announce multi-award-winning Australian comedian, singer, and writer Reuben Kaye will take on the role of Artistic Director for the 2026 Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
Last night, during the final weekend of the world’s largest cabaret festival, current Artistic Director Virginia Gay handed over the reins to Reuben Kaye at the sold-out 25th Birthday Party in the Banquet Room.
A familiar face to audiences across the country through his acclaimed performances at major festivals including the Edinburgh Fringe, Adelaide Fringe, and Melbourne International Comedy Festival, incoming Artistic Director Reuben Kaye has garnered acclaim and a devoted following for his bold, subversive cabaret.
He’s no stranger to Adelaide Cabaret Festival either, having performed in standout shows such as Reuben Kaye: Live and Intimate, The End and enGORGEd, leaving audiences laughing, gasping, and coming back for more. In his new role, Reuben will continue to push boundaries and celebrate bold, brave performance.
Incoming Adelaide Cabaret Festival Artistic Director Reuben Kaye: “Adelaide Cabaret Festival has cemented its place globally as the premiere festival for the boundary pushing art form that is Cabaret. As such it is a home to the best in the industry and celebrates us, the misfits and outcasts. This festival has launched and fostered the careers of many incredible artists and given Australian audiences the opportunity to experience new and exciting work alongside established performers from Broadway and beyond. There is no festival like it.
“To inherit the mantle of Artistic Director is not something I take lightly. It is a privilege and an honour. This festival has given me so much, I am frothing at the mouth to return the favour. Cabaret is the art form of immediacy, where the world view is deliciously tilted, the status quo is questioned and our humanity magnified. We are in uncertain and scary times no doubt. But that is the crucible where cabaret as an art form was forged. It is a solitary cry in the dark that magically becomes song, laughter, cheers. In Cabaret there are no rules... It can be anything and therefore for me it is everything.”
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2025 Artistic Director Virginia Gay: “I don’t exaggerate when I say that AD-ing this festival has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the welcome and generosity that Adelaide audiences have shown me. Everywhere a hug, everywhere a willingness to try something new: a show; a name; an experience. But it’s time for me to sail off into the glittery sunset and make other new worlds for people to play in. And when we were thinking of the perfect fit for the future of the festival … there really is nobody like Reuben Kaye.
“A global cabaret icon, creating the most exciting, irreverent, cutting-edge, sexy, funny, fearless cabaret around. I know you love him already, but you’re gonna get a whole lot more up close and personal with this absolute superstar (imagine more up close and personal than his regular head-in-audience-lap situation). I leave you in his brilliant, leather-and-Swarovski encrusted hands. And you know I’ll be back to see what magic you and he make together in 2026. Try and keep me away!”
Adelaide Festival Centre CEO & Artistic Director Douglas Gautier AM: “My congratulations to Adelaide Cabaret Festival on its remarkable 25th anniversary. This celebrated festival continues to be a vital part of our artistic program and a highlight of South Australia’s cultural calendar. I extend my sincere thanks to Virginia Gay for her outstanding leadership as Artistic Director over the past two years. We know Reuben Kaye will continue to lead the way as Artistic Director of Adelaide Cabaret Festival next year and we look forward to his 2026 festival.”
Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2025 Executive Producer Isobel Marmion: “We are thrilled to welcome the outrageously talented Reuben Kaye to the team, and what a treat to announce at our very own 25th birthday party! Reuben has long been at the forefront of contemporary cabaret, both here at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival and indeed, internationally. He is an absolute icon, a long-time festival favourite, and I cannot wait to see his program!”
Produced and presented by Adelaide Festival Centre, Adelaide Cabaret Festival has grown from modest beginnings in 2001 to become Australia’s major winter festival and the largest cabaret festival of its kind in the world. The festival has been a platform for shows and performers who have achieved critical acclaim and has featured world-renowned artists including Ms Lisa Fischer, Kristin Chenoweth, Tim Minchin, Eddie Perfect, Idina Menzel, Dita Von Teese and Patti LuPone to name a few.
Previous Artistic Directors of Adelaide Cabaret Festival:
- The Cabaret Collective: Julia Holt, David Campbell and Lisa Campbell, Kate Ceberano, Eddie Perfect, Ali McGregor, Julia Zemiro, Alan Cumming, and Tina Arena (2023)
- Tina Arena (2022)
- Alan Cumming (2021)
- Julia Zemiro (2019 – 2020)
- Ali McGregor (2018)
- Ali McGregor & Eddie Perfect (2016 – 2017)
- Barry Humphries (2015)
- Kate Ceberano (2012 – 2014)
- David Campbell (2009 – 2011)
- Julia Holt (2001 – 2008)
Reuben Kaye Biography
Fast, on the edge and brutally funny, multi-award winning, Australian comedian, singer and writer Reuben Kaye is loud, politically active, queer, brash and the winner of Best In Breed at Crufts 2022. (He thought he was entering a different type of competition).
After racking up millions of views across TikTok, YouTube and Instagram plus appearances on Spicks and Specks, The Melbourne International Comedy Fest Galas (ABC), Celebrity Letters & Numbers (SBS) and in the UK, Channel 4 & BBC’s You’re Fired, Kaye is now the danger man to watch on the scene.
Backed by his band The Close Contacts, Reuben’s unmissable live shows have sold out in Australia, London and Europe, winning the prestigious Off West End (Offie) Award for Best Cabaret in London as well as multiple Australian Green Room Awards for Best Artist & Best Cabaret Production, as well as the Adelaide Fringe Award for Best Cabaret twice, gleefully proving that he is the much needed, Swarovski studded revolt against the ever narrowing views of an increasingly conservative world and he’s done it all while looking fabulous!
Reuben Kaye is what happens when you tell your children they can be anything.
Imagery of Reuben Kaye can be found here.