16 August 2026.
Kathryn Needs, Limelight SA/
There could hardly have been a more fitting setting for a journey through the music, colour and extraordinary life of Elton John than Adelaide’s beautiful Capri Theatre.
From the moment we settled into our seats, it became apparent that Flaming Sambucas had created much more than a collection of Elton John hits. This was a seated visual and musical experience combining live singing and dancing, spectacular costumes, video footage and imagery from across Elton’s career, along with narration from Terry Nicholas that took us back through the decades. And it didn’t take long for the audience to become part of the action either.
During ‘Club at the End of the Street’, a familiar face to Limelight SA, Claudio from Cas & Nori’s Dancing with an Italian segment on 87.6FM , was invited onto the Capri stage along with fellow audience member Paul to dance alongside vocalists Anna and Katrina. It was spontaneous, hugely entertaining and one of those wonderfully unexpected moments that makes live entertainment so much fun. Claudio certainly embraced his unexpected moment in the limelight!
From there, Flaming Sambucas continued to take us on a journey through the music, flamboyance & fascinating story of Elton John.
Terry Nicholas – Piano, Vocals & Narration
At the centre of the production was Terry Nicholas, who proved himself a true performer. Moving effortlessly between piano, vocals and narration, Terry covered Elton John’s vocals with ease, while his piano playing and performance worked in wonderful synchronicity.
But it was Terry’s ability to tell the story as well as perform the music that gave the show another level of intrigue.
Throughout the evening, he shared stories from Elton’s life and career, including his remarkable songwriting partnership with Bernie Taupin and also his connection with John Lennon. These moments gave us an insight into the man behind songs that have become part of the soundtrack to so many lives.
And then there were the costumes!
The costume changes were spectacular and added enormously to the visual experience. Each new look brought another splash of Elton’s trademark flamboyance to the Capri stage and made you wonder what Terry might emerge wearing next. He certainly wasn’t content to remain politely seated behind the piano either. At one point, the piano stool went flying as Terry kicked it behind him & continued to play standing up – a wonderfully theatrical moment that captured the energy and showmanship of the evening. He then proceeded to climb on top of his piano & set yet another scene in his fabulous box of tricks.
Katrina Quigley & Anna Kotlova – Vocals
Anna and Katrina were an integral part of the performance, bringing their own glamour, movement and beautiful vocals to the stage.
Their voices were stunning – at times almost angelic – and complemented Terry’s vocals beautifully. Their harmonies added another dimension to the music, while their dancing and interaction brought plenty of personality and visual energy to the production. One of the things I particularly enjoyed was watching the connection between the performers. There was a genuine warmth between them, with little smiles and interactions throughout the show revealing a group of musicians who clearly enjoy performing together.
Jamie Kuijpers – Guitar
While the piano understandably commands plenty of attention in an Elton John tribute, Jamie Kuijpers’ guitar work was an important part of recreating the sound and energy of these much-loved songs. Jamie brought colour and drive to the bigger numbers while also knowing when to step back and allow the vocals and piano their moment. It was another example of the balance between the musicians that worked so well throughout the evening.
Paul Angas – Drums
Providing the heartbeat behind the show was Paul on drums. From the quieter storytelling moments through to the songs that had the audience singing along, Paul provided the foundation that allowed the music to move seamlessly between moods. Together, Jamie and Paul gave Terry, Anna and Katrina a strong musical platform out front, and watching all five performers interact was one of the real pleasures of the evening.
The Songs That Stayed With Me
With a catalogue as extraordinary as Elton John’s, there were always going to be songs that triggered memories and others that simply made it impossible not to join in.
One of the biggest singalong moments of the evening came with ‘Don’t Go Breaking My Heart’, performed by Terry and Katrina. It was joyful, familiar and exactly the sort of song that makes you realise just how deeply Elton John’s music has become woven into popular culture.
For me personally, though, it was ‘Imagine’ that delivered the goosebumps.
Sometimes it’s the songs we have heard hundreds of times that, in the right setting and performed with genuine feeling, suddenly stop us in our tracks. Sitting inside the beautiful Capri Theatre listening to those familiar words and melody was one of those moments for me.
More Than the Music.
The large screen behind the performers added another layer to the experience, with imagery and video taking us back through Elton John’s career while Terry’s narration filled in pieces of the story.
Combined with the costumes, choreography, lighting and live music, it meant there was always something to watch as well as hear.
But perhaps one of my favourite parts of the evening happened after the final song. Rather than simply disappearing backstage, members of Flaming Sambucas made their way into the Capri foyer and mingled with guests.
I particularly enjoyed having the opportunity to meet and chat with the performers after the show. They generously shared their time amongst audience members for conversations and photographs, and after watching all that sparkle, flamboyance and showmanship on stage, it was lovely to meet the people behind the performance.
For me, that is often what makes live entertainment memorable.
It isn’t only the songs we hear or the performances we watch. It’s the people, the atmosphere, the unexpected moments and the connections that happen along the way.
Flaming Sambucas delivered plenty of Elton John sparkle at the Capri Theatre, but underneath the costumes, glasses and theatricality was something even more important – five talented performers whose passion for the music and enjoyment of performing together shone through.
And judging by the smiles, singing and applause around the theatre, the audience was more than happy to come along for the ride.
The Limelight SA verdict ***** 5/5 – a not to be missed, sensational musical & visual extravaganza!
Photography credit: Kate Needs
