On the first two sold out nights at the Dunstan Playhouse as part of the Adelaide Cabaret Festival program, Monsieur Camembert performed Cohen Noir: The beauty, mystery and romance of Leonard Cohen. For two hours, the audience sat in awed silence at not just the beauty of the music, but the incredible talent of the musicians on stage. At times, over 60 of them when the Born On Monday fifty piece choir joined everyone on stage later in the show.

In another Cabaret Festival highlight, the excellent Monsieur Camembert celebrate the unique appeal of Leonard Cohen, and display their own musical flair in the telling.

I had a friend who bought a Cohen album but needed to wait till he was in a fit mental state before he could listen to it. Cohen used to laugh at comments describing his songs as ‘music to slash your wrists by’ and thought some people failed to see the distinction between seriousness and depression. Cohen knew about subtlety and nuance. As do the members of Monsieur Camembert in this magnificent tribute.

Leonard Cohen’s spirit must have been smiling down on Monsieur Camembert’s stunning homage to the iconic legend, the profound “poet laureate of pessimism”. Anyone fortunate enough to have been in the Dunstan Playhouse at Monsieur Camembert’s performance of Cohen Noir: The Beauty, Mystery and Romance of Leonard Cohen at the Adelaide Festival Centre were witness to a triple treat that they would remember for years to come.

Monsieur Camembert is a three-time ARIA award-winning band that blends gypsy jazz, swing, tango, and Latin music, this time through the lens of Canadian songwriter Leonard Cohen’s haunting songbook. The 10-piece band is bursting with talented musicians, narrated and led by Yaron Hallis. Utilising quotes and recordings of Cohen’s poetic views on life, this two-hour performance showcases the beauty and depth of his work on the Dunstan Playhouse stage.

This world class ensemble delivered a performance that was rich, raw, and beautifully orchestrated. At the helm, the ever-masterful Yaron Hallis - who I had the pleasure of interviewing - led the charge with passion and reverence. A lifelong fan of Cohen, Yaron has poured his heart into this production, which is now reaching the final leg of its tour. If you want to experience something truly special, catch it before it closes.