Reuben Kaye: Biography, Parents, 2025 Tour Dates

Reuben Kaye is the kind of performer who makes you stop scrolling — part drag queen, part cabaret star, all confidence. Over the past decade, he has carved out a space in both Australian and UK entertainment that feels entirely his own.

Born: 1984 ·
Nationality: Australian ·
Profession: Singer, writer, drag artist, comedian ·
Primary base: United Kingdom ·
Recent tour: Edinburgh Fringe 2025

The pattern: the mix of Australian roots and UK base defines his career arc.

Who is Reuben Kaye?

Early life and background

Reuben Kaye was born Reuben Krum in 1984 and grew up in the Melbourne suburb of Kew, according to Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia). His parents, painter and sculptor Lazar Krum and filmmaker Karin Altmann, married in Greenwich, UK, and divorced when he was eight. He has a brother named Sam. Kaye came out as gay at age 14 and later studied musical theatre at the Victorian College of the Arts (Wikipedia).

In a 2024 interview with the Sydney Morning Herald (Australian daily newspaper), Kaye described his grandmother Roza Krum as a woman who “did not speak much English,” and his mother as growing up with “staunch communist parents.”

Career overview

Kaye describes himself as “loud, politically active, queer, brash, and fabulous” on his official website (first-party source). His career has taken him across Australia, the UK, and beyond, performing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, Montréal Just for Laughs, and the Edinburgh Fringe. He is primarily based in the United Kingdom (Wikipedia).

The implication: his family background directly shaped the artist he became.

What is Reuben Kaye known for?

Drag and comedy style

Kaye’s performances are a blend of cabaret, comedy, and music, often with sharp political commentary. He has spoken about “tall poppy syndrome” in Australia and fascism in a Guardian (UK daily newspaper) interview. His show Live and Intimidating earned nominations for Most Outstanding Production and Most Outstanding Artiste at the Green Room Awards, and a Best Show nomination at Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2024 (Reuben Kaye official site).

Notable performances

He created The Kaye Hole, an adult-only late-night variety show, in 2019, which has toured internationally. Kaye has also appeared at the Sydney Opera House three years in a row from 2023 to 2025, and his 2025 Australian opera touring includes Opera Up Late with Perth in February followed by Melbourne and Brisbane (Reuben Kaye official site).

The pattern: Kaye consistently blurs boundaries between underground drag and mainstream performance spaces.

Is Reuben Kaye still performing?

Current tour dates

Yes, Kaye is actively performing. His 2025 schedule includes Edinburgh Fringe shows, Soho Theatre Walthamstow dates, and the Australian Opera Up Late tour. According to his official site (first-party source), he has amassed millions of views across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram, indicating a strong ongoing presence.

Upcoming appearances

Kaye announced new tour dates on Instagram, though specific venues are best checked on his official website. The Edinburgh Fringe 2025 run is a key highlight, following his 2024 Best Show nomination.

Who are the parents of Reuben Kaye?

Mother

Kaye’s mother is Karin Altmann, a filmmaker. She grew up with staunch communist parents, as Kaye shared in the Sydney Morning Herald (Australian daily newspaper). Her exact background beyond that is not widely publicized.

Father

His father is Lazar Krum, a painter and sculptor. Kaye’s parents married in Greenwich, UK, and divorced when he was eight. His paternal grandmother, Roza Krum, did not speak much English (Sydney Morning Herald).

The pattern: Kaye’s family background is artistic and politically engaged, but specific details about his parents’ current lives remain private. The implication: the performer prefers to keep his family out of the spotlight, focusing attention on his work.

What is Danny Kaye’s real name?

Danny Kaye biography

Danny Kaye, the American actor and comedian, was born David Daniel Kaminsky. He was known for films like White Christmas and The Court Jester. There is no relation to Reuben Kaye, despite the shared surname. Wikipedia notes that Danny Kaye’s real name was David Daniel Kaminsky (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia)).

Common confusion with Reuben Kaye

Because Reuben performs under the stage name “Kaye,” some fans mistakenly assume a connection to the Hollywood legend. The confusion is understandable but unfounded. Reuben Kaye has not publicly commented on the similarity, and his official biography makes no mention of Danny Kaye.

“I am loud, politically active, queer, brash, and fabulous.”

— Reuben Kaye, official website

“Women have always been a safe place for me.”

— Reuben Kaye, Sydney Morning Herald (2024 interview)

For Australian audiences, the question isn’t whether Kaye will return — it’s whether they’ll catch him before he sells out. The choice is clear: book a ticket, or wait for the next tour.

Frequently asked questions