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.
“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,” said Reuben Kaye.
“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,” said Kaye
“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,” said Adelaide Cabaret Festival 2025 Artistic Director Virginia Gay.
“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!” said Gay.
“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,” said Adelaide Festival Centre CEO & Artistic Director Douglas Gautier AM.
“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.”
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.
For more information about the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, visit: www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au for details.
Image: Reuben Kaye – photo by Claudio Raschella