IVAN Rebroff was in his element on the final Saturday afternoon of the Festival.

Quaffing great reds, recounting theatrical legends and flirting outrageously, this larger-than-life singer was guest of honour at one of Adelaide's more memorable luncheons.

Those remarkable hosts Jessica and Joe Dames, long-time friends of Andrew McKinnon who brought Rebroff to tour Australia, were chuffed when Andrew suggested they meet Ivan for lunch.

Never doing things by halves, the Dames invited 40 of their ''nearest and dearest'' for a lavish feast in marquees on the lawns of their Hills home.

Violinist Asher Stephenson serenaded arriving guests, thrumming Russian and German tunes which had Ivan and his entourage of a dozen or so nodding happily, and we drifted into one of those glorious hazy Autumn afternoons which only Adelaide does so well.

Bill and Wendy Wauchope came over from their beautiful Glen Ewin property laden with fresh figs from son Willa's orchards. Naturally the singer insisted on being handfed with the luscious fruits by the handiest and prettiest.

Vivacious Sarah Hilditch and husband Peter drove from their new Aldinga property.

Frank Ford, Alice Bonython, Tom Ellis, Tania and Chris Thomas, Bruce and Jill McKenzie, Denise and John Stephenson, Ed Pegge and Annie Green were in the chattering throng.

Ivan's assistants, Claudio and Ursula, were as fascinated by Frank Ford and his recounting of Fringe and Cabaret as Pam Cleland and I were by Ivan's jollity.

A big man with big appetites he wears enormous jewellery and was pleasantly imperious in wanting to play with a massive Pre-Columbian fertility necklace I was wearing.

A robust, amusing (and probably unprintable) conversation entangled everyone at the table before he and I agreed to swap rings for the day, so he claimed 40 carat Brazilian topaz and I seized a massive gold piece studded with emeralds, rubies and diamonds.

Apparently in the wine-induced haze of late afternoon we were all photographed as a bridal party, with Pam and Claudio as flower girl and page, and Wendy as Matron of honour. Evidently the wedding is to be on an island Ivan owns in the Adriatic, and we're all invited.

In the midst of all that harmless nonsensical carry-on, Ivan told us tales of escorting Maria Callas in Paris when she was in the throes of losing Aristotle Onassis to Jackie Kennedy.

She was very depressed and he'd force her to dress up and go out in public, ''the show must always go on my dears'', he'd say.

Closer to home he spoke affectionately of Mel Gibson.

When Ivan was performing at the Festival Theatre young Mel was walking on for State Theatre under Colin George's direction.

The young actor went to the famous singer for advice on how to reach the giddy heights of stardom.

Ivan didn't explain what advice he gave but it must have worked because not long after that Mad Max burst on the scene and the rest is history.

Husband and wife balalaika players Andreas and Tatiana and their young son Hugo were encouraged to play, then Peter Hilditch joined in on guitar.

Pegge, a frequent performer of poetry in schools, superbly delivered some of Russian poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko's work, which had Ivan exclaiming in a great rolling, rumbling voice ''Ahhh! Here is an ACTOR!!''.

The next night at Festival Theatre from our box, perched like swallow's nest above a packed house, we could have said the same thing of Rebroff.

A fancifully gilded pretend throne flanked by musicians ,a small table with goblet and pretend wine, were the sole props.

He majestically strolled on, supported by an elaborate silver-handled cane, wearing a huge busby-like fur hat, and draped in swathes of furs which he dismissively dropped to the floor revealing voluminous black silk pantaloons, Cossack boots and scarlet silk overblouse lavishly ornamented with gold and precious stones.

He sang, strolled, chattered, and wandered into the audience to serenade in French, Russian and German, captivated and amused with religious and popular pieces, enjoying a leisurely evening amongst friends.

He is the quintessential performer who knows how to deliver just enough to make them want more.

I guess he'll just keep on doing that around the world for as long as breath lasts.