14/10/15 Damien Leith Returns to Castle Hill
Oct 15, 2015 16:24:56 GMT 10
Post by thebraff (Braffy) on Oct 15, 2015 16:24:56 GMT 10
at.dailytelegraph.com.au/link/29c8cf91f456c79e5136a1f6f2a5d913?domain=dailytelegraph.com.au
The Hills
Damien Leith returns to Castle Hill
October 14, 2015 4:07pm
Stacey RobertsHills Shire Times
Damien Leith will perform his cabaret show The Parting Glass: An Irish Journey at the Castle Hill RSL on October 24.
Damien Leith will celebrate the end of his NSW cabaret tour with a show in Castle Hill next Saturday.
The former Australian Idol winner’s one-man cabaret show The Parting Glass: An Irish Journey arrives at Castle Hill RSL on Saturday, October 24, after an almost year-long national tour.
The Castle Hill show is the last in the state, with only a few more shows left of the tour.
After winning Australian Idol in 2006, Leith released a series of singles and albums, including seven platinum records and one gold.
Leith, who lives in inner west Sydney, released his latest album Songs from Ireland in March, which was recorded in an Irish studio that he built himself.
Along with selling over half a million records, Leith is also a talented novelist and has published two books — One More Time in 2007 and Remember June in 2009.
Now he can add successful playwright to his ever-growing list of achievements.
The Parting Glass was first performed at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival four years ago but was put on hiatus until May this year.
“Back then I wrote it specifically for the festival, I wrote the play and combined all the music,” Leith said.
“Over the course of the past four years I’ve tried to get it off the ground but there has been a lot of other things going on so I haven’t had the opportunity.
“But earlier this year I decided I was going to do it and it’s been amazing, the response is great.”
The Parting Glass is Leith’s first cabaret show, but he has long wanted to combine his singing and acting talents.
“When I was growing up as a kid I always loved acting so I always wanted to incorporate a little bit of acting into what I do,” he said.
The tour has included over 40 shows so far, and has been a resounding success.
“When I started it in May I was worried sick because it wasn’t what people know me for,” Leith said.
“I was worried how people would react, but they’ve loved it.”
In fact, The Parting Glass has been so popular that a live DVD of the show has been recorded and sold on pre-order.
“We’ve had an amazing run,” Leith said.
“It’s been great that people have really embraced what we’ve done.”
The Parting Glass is set in an Irish pub and follows a father talking to the audience about his son who lives in Australia.
“It’s quite funny (but) it’s emotional as well so people are laughing and crying at the same time,” Leith said.
Leith plays the role of both father and son and is supported by a full traditional Irish band.
After a year on the road perfecting the show, Leith said Castle Hill audiences “are in for a treat”.
“It’s smoother, everything flows better,” he said.
“I think the light and shade throughout the show from the jokes to the more emotional stuff really balances out.”
“It’s definitely the best it’s been.”
WHAT: Damien Leith — The Parting Glass: An Irish Journey
WHERE: Castle Hill RSL
WHEN: Saturday, October 24, 8pm
TICKETS: $35 from castlehillrsl.com.au
Reckon you'll have a wonderful time. Is Maggiemay going to this? I did send her the link, etc. Hope this is a sell out success 
