Hats Off gets its freak on

Sydney’s annual Hats Off! concert returns on February 13 with a Coney Island-inspired fairground theme and the tagline ‘Hats Off! to the freaks’.

Event producer Peter Silver told the Star Observer the diverse cast appearing at the event was taking inspiration from this year’s freaky theme.

“Hats Off! to the freaks works as a way for us to frame the show — freakish personalities and quirky talents,” he said.

“Audiences can expect a lot of quirk in this year’s show, as all our performers are thinking outside the square.”

Performers enlisted include cast members from musicals Annie, Love Never Dies and Ordinary Days, Australia’s Got Talent winner Jack Vidgen, musical theatre star Lucy Durack, drag diva Minnie Cooper and a host of other big names. Silver promised there would be a “touch of Gaga” to the show, as well as one very special performer who’s yet to be announced.

Hosts Mitchell Butel, Gary Scale and Jan van de Stool (the comic alter ego of performer Queenie van de Zandt) will MC the two-and-a-half-hour show.

“It’s action stations at the moment, but what’s made the process wonderful is how generous people are with their time,” Silver said. “It’s really comforting to know that everyone’s keen to support Oz Showbiz Cares and Equity Fights AIDS.”

Silver said he hoped to raise up to $40,000 at the event, adding to the more than $750,000 Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS Inc has raised for critically needed services for people with AIDS, HIV and HIV-related illnesses since 1997.

INFO: Hats Off!, Monday, February 13, York Theatre, Seymour Centre. Tickets from www.secure.seymourboxoffice.com.au or call 02 9351 7940.