27 Club opened at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival on the 17th of June featuring Hayley Mary (lead vocalist of the Jezabel’s), Henry Wagons, Daniel Champagne and Adelaide’s own Carla Lippis.

Showcasing the musical genius of legendary artists Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix, Amy Winehouse, Janis Joplin, Kurt Cobain, Brian Jones and Robert Johnson who all died at the age of 27; hence the ’27 club.’

Each cast members interpretation of the iconic tunes was heartfelt and done well with a standout performance of Janis Joplin’s “Piece of my heart” by Hayley Mary.

Narration by Henry Wagons, although comical, went off topic at times which distracted from the show. A simple set depicted the ‘crossroads’ in which Robert Johnson was rumoured to be at when he sold his soul to the devil. A large screen in the background projected black and white images of each artist with one of their iconic quotes.

You may not have been a fan of any of these legends, but chances are you know the songs. Many say their songs were the voice of their generation, which in the end may have been the reason for their demise. You will be surprised at which cast member sings legendary songs such as Nirvana’s “Come as you are”, and Jimi Hendrix “Purple Sky.”

The show does not in any way romanticise their death and induction into the so called ’27 club’ but rather attempts to draw the similarities between them such as the fact that three of them were left handed and two of them died on the same day years apart.

Opening and closing with the same tune, the show is 110 minutes of rock and roll and will leave you feeling nostalgic and a little sad for these young musicians. It will also leave you wondering if fate chose them or they chose their own.

“Its better to burn out than fade away” – Kurt Cobain

Directed by Tahli Corin
Written by Joshua Tyler & Tahli Corin
Musical Direction by John Thorn