Interview: David Salter Discusses His Children's Show for Adults, 'MAKE BELIEVE'

I was intrigued by this show when I noticed the telescope to Salter's eye in the publicity image was a wine bottle. Sounded like my kind of show! A dose of reminiscence with a gallon of booze.

Like the lovechild of Noni Hazelhurst and your drunk uncle, David Salter sings and slurs his way through a songbook of nostalgia in this adults-only children's show.

I had a chat to David Salter, the creator of "Make Believe" which is having its Melbourne premiere this month.

How long have you been creating your own cabaret work?

I've been doing bits and pieces over the last ten years in Adelaide festivals with friends, slowly finding my groove and working out what fits me best.

How would you describe your cabaret style?

My style is kind of gently naughty. I like a mix of funny bits, music, sad bits, and puppetry. I'm happiest doing a relaxed show where everybody can sing along and it feels like we're around the piano in my lounge room.

Your show is described as "children's songs for grown ups". Where'd the idea come from?

I've done children's party gigs for as long as I can remember, and frankly it was just easier to use the same set list for both shows.

I've always loved the music from my childhood, and listening to it as an adult brought new meaning to a lot of my favourite old songs. It's great to share that with people. So many people have such a fond affection for their childhood, so really trying to cash in on that nostalgia and throw them all a big boozy birthday party.

This is your Melbourne debut. Where else have you performed?

All over Adelaide in nursing homes, birthday parties, schools, street corners, bars, burlesque clubs. Honestly anywhere that will have me.

What should people know before seeing your show?

Please leave any particularly precious memories of cherished children's songs at the door.

Right! So if you're keen on a night of boozy renditions of the hits of Patsy Biscoe, Sesame Street, Peter Combe, Disney and The Wiggles, then grab your tickets to this show.

Salter's reinterpretations of cherished classics take dark, funny, and often unexpectedly raunchy turns in this night of cabaret gold. Achieving a superb balance between joyful exuberance and melancholic cynicism, Salter weaves together songs, comedy, magic, and ventriloquism to create the ultimate kids party, with the added pleasures of booze and the complete absence of children.

Described as "One of Adelaide's most versatile and engaging performers" (Adelaide Theatre Guide, 2018), David Salter has worked for over ten years as a children's entertainer and puppeteer. He has regularly brought his charming performance style to the stage in comedic, dramatic and musical productions, during Adelaide's Cabaret, Fringe and Feast festivals. Starting as the seed of an idea which was pollinated during Salter's time with the Australian Cabaret Summer School in 2013, Make Believe, his debut solo cabaret show, has been developed and crafted over the intervening years.

Declared "a highlight of the Adelaide Fringe" (4.5 stars, Glam Adelaide, 2018), it's Melbourne's turn to experience the fun and catharsis, as Make Believe lands at The Butterfly Club for one week only, nightly at 8:30pm, Monday to Saturday, August 13th to 18th.

Tickets available here! See you there for a wine?

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