“Welcome back, Mark!” yelled a punter from the floor as Nadler strode on to the stage at the Space Theatre. Then you could almost hear the collective sigh of an audience comforted they were in safe hands and ready to follow this man down the path of sin.

Beloved by Adelaide, consummate performer Nadler has perfected his repartee – telling snippets that, artfully slip-stitched together, evoke an era. This tour he’s turned his attention to the time of jazz, scandals and prohibition in a show subtitled Songs & Scandals of the Roaring 20s. Headline topics of the time were, of course: sex, drugs, and liquor.

Nadler begins upbeat, energetic, speedy almost, then – after fixing a fine martini – turns contemplative, meditating on the “Limehouse Blues”.

With a thoughtful playlist – ranging from Cole Porter’s “Love For Sale” and “Let’s Misbehave” to the “Three Penny Opera” medley – flapper Sophia McCrae on clarinet and Rob Chenoweth on trumpet are fine accompaniment for Nadler’s combination piano, songs and stories.

It’s clear he has got the smarts, but not just that, he has empathetic wit. Oh, and a cheeky half-cocked grin and suggestive eyebrows.

When he hollers, we shall always be willing to respond.

Mark Nadler’s season at the Space Theatre has now finished. The Adelaide Cabaret Festival continues until June 21.

For more stories and reviews, see InDaily’s 2014 Adelaide Cabaret Festival hub.