An Evening Without Kate Bush sees Sarah-Louise Young celebrate the iconic singer with captivating vocals, eccentric storytelling and audience participation.
Kate Bush is an artist who has kept her fans on their edge of their seats… For nearly five decades. The reclusive, English superstar has rarely performed since her 1978 debut and seems unlikely to do so anytime soon. Thank goodness for performers like Sarah-Louise Young, who performs a tribute act to the “Great one.” “An Evening Without Kate Bush” is like a love letter to one of the world’s most genre-defying, chameleon artists.
The show was created by Young and director, Russell Lucas. One small criticism is that this one-woman show performs the songs along to backing tracks. It is a minor quibble as the show does feature nothing less than: dramatic dance moves, masterful storytelling, and clever props and costume changes. It never overstays its welcome and is so utterly perfect for Bush’s fans, The Fish People.
Young is no plain Jane. She has absolutely beguiling vocals that are at times as ethereal and perfect as Bush herself. Another excellent thing about Young is her cheeky wit. We all laugh when she refers to “Fans of the Bush” with more than a twinkle in her eye. She is very funny and during the two-hour long show proves she is oh-so endearingly, lovely.
This show can appeal to both the devotees of Bush’s and her more casual fans. The latter will no doubt enjoy the spirited rendition of “Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)” (that they were no doubt introduced to from the show, “Stranger Things.”) “Babooshka” meanwhile, is quite mad and fun when Young delivers it in Russian (along with the correct pronunciation of a hard “Ba” that changes the dynamic of the song).
Young’s stage craft pays tribute to Bush and Bowie’s mime teacher, Lindsay Kemp. There are plenty of Bush’s awkward dance moves. Young also evokes Freddie Mercury’s spirit from the “I Want To Break Free” music video during “This Women’s Work,” which is perfect. The show is as delightfully eccentric as Bush is and overall, it’s a fitting tribute like to her. In some ways it’s like the one John Waters did about John Lennon, “Looking Through A Glass Onion,” as it weaves together great storytelling and music.
The audience were brought along for the ride and even got to participate. We were all howling along to “Hounds of Love.” Young also grabbed two lovely ladies from the crowd who were dressed like they were going to “The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever” to do back-up vocals and dancing in “Cloudbusting.” A devoted married couple got to replicate Bush and Peter Gabrielle’s close hug in “Don’t Give Up.”” and by the end of the show, we were all singing along to “Wuthering Heights.” Fact.
“An Evening Without Kate Bush” may be missing the eponymous star but it is still a rollickingly good show. Young delivers a masterful examination of both hers and Bush’s lives. The performance was nothing short of an utter joy to watch. A passionate performer celebrating her fandom with a school of dutiful fish in tow. Wonderful.
Reviewed By: Natalie Salvo