2 Ruby Knockers, 1 Jaded Dick: A Dirk Darrow Investigation
Australia’s favourite psychic detective is back with a magic/comedy/mind-reading/film-noir tribute show (and yes, that’s definitely too many slashes for one dude). Let’s just settle for ‘indescribably Dirk Darrow’.
The Howling Owl, 25 February–2 March; The Griffins Hotel, 7–16 March.

Accordion Ryan’s Pop Bangers
Accordion bangers from an American-Austrian who can play both sides of the squeeze box. Never underestimate a performer who learned his trade on the street: strap in for a wild ride with the dude who left Simon Cowell speechless.
Fool’s Paradise, 20 February–2 March.

An Evening Without Kate Bush
If we can’t have Kate, we’ll take the next best thing. Sarah-Louise Young’s cult Kate cabaret mines the innate theatricality of the Bush oeuvre, explores the quirkier edges of fandom and invites the audience to unleash their inner hound of love.
The Garden of Unearthly Delights, 18 February–23 March. 

Beating Up The Beatles
Following in the footsteps of Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald and Nina Simone, Fringe Emerging Artist and Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Encore Award-winner Charlee Watt returns with a more extensive run of her 2024 show celebrating the Beatles’ immortal love songs. No Stones jokes please.
Arts Centre, Port Noarlunga, 21 February; Plant 4 Bowden, 22 February, 1 & 16 March; Shedley Theatre, Elizabeth, 26 February; Payinthi, Prospect, 27 February. 

Charlie Caper: Magical
The Swedish sleight-of-hand star returns to Adelaide with a ‘best of’ show with a few surprises thrown in. Caper started off as a street magician: the tricks come thick and fast with more than a few ‘how did he do that?’ moments.
The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 19 February–23 March. 

Flop
It takes blood, sweat and tears to bring a musical to the stage, so surely even the ones that disappear without trace have at least one killer bop in them? Arthur Hull resuscitates the forgotten hits from the musicals that didn’t make it in this engaging show.
The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 4–16 March.   

Gemma Caruana: Underwire
Another chance to see Caruana’s upfront meditation on her love/hate affair with her breasts; once the bane of her teenage years, now the inspiration for her debut autobiographical show. Mammary puns ensue.
Gluttony – Rymill Park, 25 February–2 March. 

Hans: Young, Fun & 21
Serial America’s Got Talent offender returns to the festival which first embraced his glittery lederhosen. We could have sworn our favourite camp Berliner had already reached the age of majority but we’ll happily join his birthday celebrations for a squeeze of his accordion.
Gluttony - Rymill Park, 21 February–23 March. 

Kevin Quantum: Unbelievable Magic For Non-Believers
Billed as the first ever magic show for people who . . . actually don’t believe in magic, Quantum dares his audience to believe the impossible. Throw in a bit of science and he’s got us convinced.
The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 14 February–23 March.

Michelle Brasier: It’s A Shame We Won’t Be Friends Next Year
Melbourne-based comedian Brasier has been mulling over her new show’s title since a boy in Year 6 addressed her with these very words. A mere quarter century later, she resolves to track him down and make a song and dance about the response.
Gluttony – Rymill Park, 4–9 March. 

Skank Sinatra
There are no flies on returning Best Cabaret winner Skank Sinatra, the frankly gorgeous creation of Melbourne-based drag performer and musician Jens Radda, who sprinkles some camp glamour on the classy catalogue of Ol’ Blue Eyes.
Gluttony – Rymill Park, 11–16 March. 

Skinny
Singer and comedian Michelle Pearson dons the body-hugging Lycra and builds on her Comfort Food Cabaret in this personal odyssey through body image, fat shaming and social pressures, set to a soundtrack of body-conscious bangers.
Gluttony – Rymill Park, 20–23 February.

Suhani Shah: Spellbound
Qualified hypnotherapist and Indian mentalist Shah has a head-spinning reach on social media. She started young (aged seven) as an illusionist and has spent the last 20 years studying human behaviour, which means she almost certainly knows what you are thinking right now.
The Garden Of Unearthly Delights, 24 February–9 March; main picture: Tim Hughes.