Busking in Glory | Merilee Ettia
Images: Bella Koning
Instead of shopping on a Friday night, I found myself sitting at the outdoor marquee in the centre of Brisbane City Queen Street Mall, ready for the opening night of Busking In Glory. Written and performed by Merilee Ettia as part of the 2026 Anywhere Festival, this open-air production brings an unapologetically loud, high-energy cabaret and musical theatre solo performance to the pavement, commanding the attention of shoppers and theatre-goers alike.
The 45 minute bold show relied on raw vocal power and sharp narrative wit to hold the spotlight under the Brisbane night sky. Ettia sang her lungs out over background song tracks, but there was serious technique behind the volume- her singing voice was incredibly powerful, beautiful and clearly well trained. What was really clever was how she utilised these iconic musical theatre numbers as a creative tool to tell her personal life story as a street performer, packed with relatable nods to the struggles and triumphs of being a creative in a bustling crowd, making the whole narrative feel deeply personal.
The Disney hits such as ‘Beauty and the Beast’ and ‘Let It Go’ from Frozen instantly captivated passing kids. Not gonna lie, as a big Disney fan, I was totally geeking out too! Other songs included classics like ‘Naughty’ from Matilda and ‘You Will Be Found’ from Dear Evan Hansen, with vocals so massive that drew applause from casual shoppers walking by between songs. On a side note, it’d be more enjoyable if the sound levels were turned down a tad. The PA system cranked everything into overdrive and sent the vocals echoing down the entire street, making it so loud that my ears genuinely hurt. But honestly? With a natural vocal powerhouse that strong, she almost didn’t need a microphone at all.
Images: Bella Koning
As expected in a public open space, the stage set up was simple. Overhead, a large metal lighting rig flooded the stage with blue and yellow lights, while a big glowing LED letter ‘A’ sat right in the centre as the main backdrop. Ettia kept things minimalist, using just a few basic props like a playful hand puppet. Normally I prefer the dark, cosy atmosphere of an enclosed theatre, but stripped-back set up really proved that art can truly happen anywhere! Without heavy sets to build a mood, Ettia was left completely exposed as a performer, this vulnerability completely fit the narrative of the show. Utilising her stage presence, she paced from left to right, sat on the edge of the stage, and stepped down closer to the crowd, occasionally asking the audience questions for involvement. Though it felt a little awkward at times, this direct interaction made it feel like you had just met someone new and she was telling you about herself through the cabaret and musical theatre.
Busking In Glory is a free, outdoor addition to the Anywhere Festival lineup that brings a lively burst of cabaret to the heart of the city, offering a passionate hometown performance that holds plenty of promise.
Busking In Glory played at the Queen Street Mall stage from 30-31 May 2026 as part of the 2026 Anywhere Festival.
