Kate Bush is a phenomenon, a multi-faceted performer who has retained a faithful following for decades — despite rarely performing in public.
So Sarah-Louise Young’s celebratory tribute show has to be a slam-dunk for generations of fans who have worshipped Bush’s music and style over the years.
This highly professional cabaret may be built around Bush, but it’s aimed squarely at the fans, who definitely came to the party at the packed-out Palace in Wanaka.
Young swiftly won over her audience, roaming around the rows to find out what fans wanted and prepping us for audience participation — joy for some, terror for others.
But no-one needed to worry as Young knocked out selected Bush classics with a little help from 300 co-opted backing singers.
In between songs, she shared secrets of Bush’s signature moves, told stories from fans she has met in her shows, and gave us some personal history featuring Bush-mania.
Young made no claim to impersonate the unconventional Bush but, she projected the same larger-than-life stage personality and her voice was just as extraordinary in its own way.
Bush’s performances were demanding, both musically and physically, but Young was well up for the challenge, even mastering the Bush pout to perfection.
Clever costuming was a great character-setter, and also gave Young more opportunities to display a great sense of humour along with her self-deprecating banter.
This is a high-energy crazy cabaret act, highly polished in parts and loosely ad-libbed in others.
It’s a big show with a big heart and charm to spare.
It’s poised and playful and full of fun.
Characteristics that people loved about Bush in her heyday.
She just had that effect on people.
Young’s respectful tribute shows that the passage of time doesn’t seem to have diluted it.
Review by Nigel Zega
