Popular Australian personality Jeanne Little has returned to Melbourne with her cabaret tribute to Marlene Dietrich. While Sian Phillips offers her interpretion of the legendary entertainer in Paris, Little continues to surprise Australian audiences with her own acclaimed performance as Marlene.The effectiveness of the portrayal is enhanced by the contrast in Little's and Dietrich's stage personas. Little became a household name through talk-show appearances in the 1970's with her eccentric fashion sense and distinctive, though less than melodic, voice. As television variety shows disappeared from Australian screens in the 1980's, Little re-emerged as a star of the musical stage in Jerry's Girl's and then in her own cabaret acts. Critics who had once described her voice as one to break glass, were now praising it as one to break hearts with her poignant renditions.

On stage, Little chats with her audience with unbridled flamboyance particular to her, and suddenly in song she radiates Marlene. Little took Marlene to the San Francisco Cabaret Convention, and now can be seen at Capers Dinner Theatre until March 28. Bookings on (61-3) 98191797.

--By Peter Ford
Australia Correspondent