This Review is from August 2026

Reuben Kaye is a big personality with a bigger show, supported by a brilliant three-piece live band. The larger-than-life Australian legend’s capacity audience in the Palais du Variété were out for a good time. And they got one.

It’s easy to imagine Reuben Kaye becoming a global household name. He has the talent and charisma to be a mainstream star. But it’s hard to see Kaye compromising on his material. Political cabaret has a long tradition, but it’s rarely been this smart and this hardcore.

There were a couple jokes that made the audience gasp, rather than laugh, but Kaye won them back within seconds.  It’s great to see such a popular act challenge their audience. He doesn’t lose control for a second.

Shout out to Andrew, the young gay lad next to me. Once the show was over and the prolonged standing ovation began to subside, he remarked, “I don’t know if I want to fuck him or vote for him.”

Martin Walker