X-Collective is a 12-piece cabaret ensemble based in Brisbane that has blurred the line between classical music and the cabaret stage.  This talented group of classically trained musicians have stepped outside their comfort zones, performing their eclectic brand of entertainment in concert halls and cabaret venues around Australia.

What makes X-Collective unique as a chamber/cabaret group is that all members of the group take on additional roles as actors, singers, dancers and comedians and most double on other instruments such as Electric Bass, Flugle horn, Cor Anglais, Piccolo and even Bagpipes!

X-Collective started its life in the QLD Philharmonic Orchestra as a 10-piece touring chamber-music ensemble for the QLD Arts Council.  As there is no music written for this size group, they had to improvise and decided to tackle Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet" and some piano music by Gershwin.  Since that first tour, they have evolved into the group we see today, taking on the master-works of the classical repertoire plus an entertaining mix of Jazz, Rock, Funk and original compositions.   They also perform in traditional chamber settings, premiering new chamber works such as versions of Debussy's cello sonata, Franck's violin sonata and Stravinsky's Petrouchka arranged by cellist Craig Allister Young.

In 2004 X-Collective launched its first CD entitled "It Don't Mean A Thing..." a compilation of Jazz standards with a few surprises and have a CD for children entitled "Daisy May - The Impossibly Cool Cat".  In 2007 they performed their  show "Dags and Divas" with the Sirens of Song and Leisa Barry-Smith in Brisbane and at the 2007 New Mardi Gras.

In 2009 X-Collective will be performing with the Queensland Ballet in "A Streetcar Named Desire" plus undertaking a tour of their new show "Circus of Fools" in collaboration with the QLD Orchestra and the QLD Arts Council. This will be their tenth year of touring with these organisations.

  Reviews/Photos/Testimonials

Audience comments from
2006 Arts Council Tour

Yungaburra

"Beyond belief!!  Great!!"

"Brilliant. Such talent is inspiring for
our own musicians"

"Hugh Rocks"

 
Innisfail

"Brilliant, not a boring moment."

"Please come again...soon!"

Longreach

"Sensational.  We need more of this!"

"A first-class show"

Proserpine

"It was awesome"

"Best show I've seen in a while"

"The trumpet solo was awesome!! 
Hugh looks great in a dress!"

"Lost for words."

"Fantastic effort - especially the bagpipes."