What’s The Buzz @ Festival Theatre, Adelaide 6/6/2026
I was genuinely excited when I heard about What’s The Buzz at the 2026 Adelaide Cabaret Festival, and the show more than lived up to my expectations. Billed as “an evening in concert and conversation with the Australian cast of Jesus Christ Superstar,” it was an event I simply could not miss. Having seen the full production in Sydney in late 2024, I was eager to experience this special performance. As the national tour had visited every Australian capital city except Adelaide and Hobart, the Festival Theatre was packed with enthusiastic fans.
As someone who loves both musical theatre and rock music, I was drawn to Jesus Christ Superstar from an early age. Created by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice in 1970 when they were just twenty two and twenty five years old, respectively, the musical remains an extraordinary achievement. More than five decades later, it continues to be performed around the world. The show has always enjoyed immense popularity in Australia, with notable performers such as Jon English, John Farnham, Marcia Hines and Kate Ceberano having all taken on key roles over the years.
As this was a concert presentation rather than a full staging of the musical, the performers had the freedom to rearrange the running order. The evening opened with Mahalia Barnes (Mary Magdalene) performing Everything’s Alright, a perfect choice as the song also introduces audiences to both Javon King (Judas) and Michael Paynter (Jesus). Barnes’ voice was smooth, powerful and captivating. This song, along with her rendition of I Don’t Know How to Love Him, has always been among my personal favourites from the score, and she delivered both beautifully.
There were countless musical highlights throughout the evening. This Jesus Must Die, performed by John O’Hara (Annas), Peter Murphy (Pilate) and Eliot Baker (Caiaphas), showcased the remarkable depth and richness of their voices. Baker had only just arrived after performing a matinee of Anastasia in Sydney earlier that day, before flying to Adelaide for the concert. With Anastasia scheduled to play here later this year, his performance certainly heightened my anticipation. Their rendition of Blood Money, alongside Javon King, was equally impressive.
Graeme Isaako brought great energy and joy to “Simon Zealotes,” while Peter Murphy delivered a moving and beautifully sung “Pilate’s Dream.”
Ruben Kaye, who portrayed Herod and also serves as Artistic Director of this year’s Adelaide Cabaret Festival, was an outstanding host. His performance of “King Herod’s Song” was wonderfully mischievous, and his backstage anecdotes and stories provided plenty of laughter throughout the evening.
Michael Paynter was exceptional as Jesus, particularly in his performance of Gethsemane. His soaring vocals were so powerful that they prompted a spontaneous standing ovation from the audience before the song had even concluded. Paynter is set to portray John Farnham in the forthcoming Whispering Jack musical later this year, and based on this performance, he seems perfectly suited to the role.
Javon King was equally outstanding as Judas. His performances of Heaven on Their Minds and the show-closing Superstar demonstrated both remarkable vocal ability and commanding stage presence. It is little surprise that he recently continued the role in an international production in Manila, which concluded only a week ago.
Between the musical numbers, the cast shared humorous stories, backstage memories and insider anecdotes, giving the audience a glimpse into the camaraderie that clearly exists among them. Their warmth and affection for one another were evident throughout the evening. Supporting them was a superb band whose tight, skilful musicianship elevated every performance and contributed greatly to the celebratory atmosphere. The cast also staged a light-hearted recreation of the Last Supper, which was met with enthusiastic laughter from the audience.
The show closed with a spirited rendition of What’s the Buzz by the full cast, a jubilant and fitting finale that sent the audience home on a high note. What’s The Buzz was far more than a concert. It was a joyful celebration of one of musical theatre’s most enduring works, brought to life by an exceptionally talented cast who clearly relished every moment on stage. For fans of Jesus Christ Superstar, it was a memorable and thoroughly entertaining evening.
Adelaide Cabaret Festival Review By Richard De Pizzol