John Thorn in Background Boy
Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Adelaide Premiere, June 15-17, Artspace
Describe your show in one sentence
In Background Boy I present a collection of original songs I've been writing over the past 4 years covering
a wide range of styles and emotions.
What is your favourite moment in this show and why?
I perform the show with my 15 year old daughter Bonnie and we get to do a duet together which is a
wonderful experience. She also has a couple of solo items and for a father to accompany his daughter,
especially when she has one of the best voices you'll ever hear is a very special treat.
What excites you most about
cabaret?
The intimate relationship between
performer and audience and the licence
performers are given to tell stories
within songs and present sophisticated
music and lyrics. There's also the
wonderful history of Cabaret that you
are a part of and that you draw on and
add to.
If you could perform anywhere in
the world, where would that place
be?
Seth McFarlane's living room.
What is the song/movie or musical
you love the most and why?
Song: DARK EYES (Russian folk song
that can make any crowd in the world
very, laugh and dance)
Movie: UMBRELLA'S OF CHERBOURG
(French 1964 movie-musical completely
through-sung with incredible score by
Michel LeGrand and beautifully directed
by Jacques Demy and starring Catherine
Deneuve)
Musical: GYPSY (Perfect musical in
every way)
What is your favourite sound in the
whole world?
My daughter Bonnie singing my song
"The Traveller".
After years supporting some of the
world’s finest cabaret performers
including Meow Meow and Caroline Nin, multi award-winning singer/songwriter John Thorne deservedly
steps into the spotlight.
Taking the lead on vocals and piano, Thorn is joined on-stage with his talented daughter Bonnie and
special guests.
Featuring witty works, bittersweet ballads and songs inspired by the 1920s, Thorn resembles such greats
as Randy Newman and Hoagy Carmichael.
Bookings: BASS 131 246