PRESS RELEASE for FAILING IN LOVE AGAIN 2020.
In an increasingly identity aligned, post binary, peri-apocalyptic world, one thing is for sure — love’s casualties are still strewn all over the place.
It’s timely then that two survivors of the sexual revolution — singer, Jan Cornall and pianist, Elizabeth Drake, return to the stage to shock and delight audiences with the wit and wisdom of their eighties cult hit cabaret.
All these years on, their anti-normative message is more relevant than ever!
With original songs like What Ever Happened to the Evolution of the Sexual Revolution, Better than Het, Sad Masochist, Spilt Guilt, Limping for Sympathy, Erotic Dream, The Vibrator Song, Monogamy Shbedogamy and more, Cornall and Drake’s satirical soiree will leave you wanting more.
Musically sophisticated, lyrically transgressive, their post punk personas challenge the age-old myth of romantic love and celebrate the passions that drive it.
Whatever your age, era or inclination; be prepared to recognize yourself in this frank and funny feminist mirror of modern love.
Ahead of their time — still!
TO BOOK FAILING IN LOVE AGAIN FOR YOUR FESTIVAL OR EVENT CONTACT US
The show runs for 65mins w/o interval, 80 mins with interval. It requires a performance area or stage with grand piano (miked or electric), two vocal mikes, in an inspiring venue that seats a minimum of 80 patrons.
WORD ON THE STREET 2019. (following Jan and Elizabeth’s performance at Sedition Festival, September 2019).
Failing In Love Again is witty, and political but not in any way didactic. The emotions still run true and strong, and the music is effervescent and irresistible. The songs like ‘ Limping for sympathy’ and ‘Idiosyncracies’ give us secret, sly weapons to deal with humbug on a personal and political scale. I can’t wait to see the show again. Kerry Dwyer.
Really brilliant! Loved so many things about this concert especially hearing Jan and Elizabeth… Women’s wit, self knowledge, kindness and solidarity generally at the fore In a shit world these qualities matter. Juno Gemes.
What a night! Vashti Hughes.
Saw the brilliant Jan Cornall and Elizabeth Drake performing tonight! From their hit 1979 show Failing in Love Again. Lou Steer.
Wonderful night! Sandy Edwards.
I went to GIRLS IN OUR TOWN a concert of the SEDITION Festival at the Cell Block Theatre. At this marvellous event Jeannie Lewis, Margret RoadKnight, Jan Cornall, Elizabeth Drake, Shayne Karlin, Janie Conway Herron and Christa Hughes performed with the support of a handful of male performers. It was organised by John Allen and it was a showcase for the girls, wonderful to see them on stage agaIn and in GOOD VOICE. The title Girls in Our Town comes from the Bob Hudson song which is an Australian classic. It was more than just nostalgia, we were able to re-evaluate their importance. William Yang.
You and Elizabeth did wonderfully. Failing in Love Again is such a timeless piece. Just great to hear you folks in such great form. Ralph Kerle.
You were so fabulous! Every sharp word was articulated with clarity, humour and a real expression of the seditious 70’s. Debbie Nankervis.
Bloody marvellous! Johnny Allen.
PAST PRESS for Failing In Love Again
Jan Cornall can always be found leading the charge into the minefield of comedy about contemporary sexual and social mores. In 1979 when many people were still congratulating themselves on challenging sex roles and becoming more ‘caring and sharing’, Jan was already looking at where the sexual revolution had run off the rails. Failing in Love Again was written when Jan was writer in residence for the Australian Performing Group at The Pram Factory in Melbourne. As one overwhelmed critic concluded, this ‘ contemporary opera which looked at emasculation, the slide of feminiism, contraception, jealousy, depression, obsession and oral fixation was packing them in.’ Wendy Harmer, It’s a Joke Joyce, Australia’s Funny Women, pub 1989.
When composer Friedrich Hollaender back in 1929, wrote the original version of Falling In Love Again for Sternberg’s Blue Angel, he could not have forseen that in 1979 a brilliant writer/composer Jan Cornall, would cleverly paraphrase this title into the entertaining Failing In Love Again cabaret. The comparison between the two themes is not so far fetched. Cornall’s cabaret artists blare out the summary of their sexual disenchantment in a way that makes us laugh, chuckle and nod our heads. The Australian Jewish News 1979.
Elizabeth Drake and Jan Cornall have talent close to the top of what Australian cabaret can offer and it will unsettle the competition… the show’s best features are the lyrics…I thought Failing in Love Again nearly as good as the characterisations that these women create for themselves (as) they use the audience as a third party in their own relationship on stage. Perhaps that is one of the scerets of successful cabaret. Michelle Field, Theatre Australia, Nov 1980.
Late night, intimate venue, one electric (grand) piano, two women performers with their wits and melodies about them. They dedicate one number to all “those who have died or were wounded in the sexual revolution”. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys live late night shows, isn’t afraid of verbal gymnastics, can stand rough words and ideas and is prepared to hear wit and wisdom from two women. Harry Robinson Daily Telegraph, 1980
Whatever happened to the evolution of the sexual revolution? A sad serious question, but the answer is far from dull, not even doleful (pardon the pun) in this nonstop, non revolutionary and non-plussed musical, sending up the flagging of hard times. Ms Cornall has written an exhilarating jazz-rocky revue (with) her own battling torchy style of delivery. Laurie Landray Melb Herald, 1979.
A laughing lament in song (but) there is nothing self pitying about their songs. On the contrary their laments for the past are shot through with a distinctly Australian brand of wry self mocking humour. Complex ideas are broken down to simple catchy phrases. Fast paced and fiercely energetic, the author and her collaborator deliver their songs in a strong attacking style that doesn’t let up for a moment. It has the makings of a popular success! If the commercial managements have any enterprise at all, they will hotfoot it to the Pram Factory without delay. Leonard Radic, The Age, 1979.
Taking the mickey out of romantic sentimental love songs may sound like a formula for easy laughs. The way this duo does it there is no question of self indulgence. Talent abounds in the writing as well as the presentation. I cannot escape the haunting refrain, “ what is this feeling inside of me? Is it love or is it my I.U.D. If that sort of humour appeals then wait impatiently for the return of Jan Cornall and Elizabeth Drake. Ken Healey, Canberra Times, 1981.
