Reuben Kaye: You Can Joke About Anything
It is from ABC Arts.
The topic is cabaret.
The article was published on Sat 13 Jun 2026 at 6:49am.
Reuben Kaye is trying to talk to someone on his phone in a theatre dressing room.
His phone dies, and he has to start again.
Reuben Kaye is the new artistic director of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
He is a comedian and cabaret artist who is warm and funny.
Reuben Kaye has been doing comedy for a decade and has won awards.
He once made a joke about Jesus that caused controversy and death threats.
Reuben Kaye is not afraid to talk about difficult topics.
He thinks Australian cabaret is special because it is self-aware and funny.
Australians like to make fun of themselves and their culture.
Reuben Kaye likes to take cultural icons and turn them into comedy.
He thinks Schapelle Corby is a funny concept.
Reuben Kaye believes that cabaret can help heal the world.
He wanted to be the artistic director of the cabaret festival to bring new ideas.
At first, he did not want the job, but then he decided to take it.
Reuben Kaye wants to make the festival exciting and new.
He feels like he owes it to Adelaide to make the festival great.
Reuben Kaye thinks that cabaret should be for everyone, not just a few people.
He wants to make the festival more accessible to new people.
Reuben Kaye used to call himself a cabaret artist, but now he calls himself a comedian.
He gets death threats, but he does not stop making jokes.
Reuben Kaye thinks that being an artist can be lonely, but it is worth it.
He believes that good art has to take something from the artist.
Reuben Kaye thinks that anything can be joked about if it is done right.
He remembers the first cabaret he saw, which was Bette Midler's show.
Reuben Kaye likes to laugh at silly things, like dogs running into walls.
He thinks that cabaret artists face challenges, but they can adapt.
Reuben Kaye does not think that AI will replace cabaret artists.
He thinks that incorporating technology into cabaret is a good idea.
There are fewer venues for cabaret artists, but there are still opportunities.
Reuben Kaye's show, The Kaye Hole, is at the Adelaide Festival Centre.
The Adelaide Cabaret Festival runs until June 21.
This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.
The article was published on Sat 13 Jun 2026 at 6:49am.
Reuben Kaye is one of Australia's most celebrated comedians and cabaret artists.
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