Kate Bush is back in London. Well, sort of. Sarah-Louise Young‘s An Evening Without Kate Bush, created with Russell Lucas, which has started a two-week run at the Underbelly Boulevard, Soho.
Billed on the show’s website as “the chaotic cabaret cult”, An Evening Without Kate Bush is part tribute act, part celebration of “fans of the Bush” who are known as The Fish People after her record label.
It’s more about community than anything else, and the revised two-act structure allows a slower pace than before with more audience interaction. Kate Bush has been pulled back into recent consciousness with “Running Up That Hill” featuring in Stranger Things but her 50 year career is fully represented in this show.
Young has several costume changes capturing the different eras of Kate’s career, while telling us her own story as a fan. She also shares communications from people who have seen An Evening Without Kate Bush and delves into comments in forums and on videos.
There are some surprises in the setlist, including a raunchy cover and an early song mooted as a single before Kate firmly chose “Wuthering Heights”. The show opens with “And Dream of Sheep” then races headlong through a host of hits.
I was pleased to see “Army Dreamers” and “This Woman’s Work” featured again, with the addition of “Hammer Horror” and “Them Heavy People”. Audience members are invited to sing along, and even participate.
The atmosphere is always good-natured and although part-parody of “the Bush” is never unkind. This is about the fans, the music, and ultimately a woman who wrote her own no.1 hit and has managed her career ever since.
As Kate Bush rarely appears live – Hammersmith in 2019 was the most recent – there are lots of tribute acts making sure her music connects with the shoal who adore here. Young mentions a couple, including the surely apocryphal Withering Tights.
Don’t go thinking this is just a comedic send-up. Young’s vocals and energy are amazing; her life-long devotion to Kate Bush is clearly apparent. This is ultimately a show put together with love – perhaps the “Hounds of Love” we are invited to howl along to.
You don’t need to be an uber-fan to enjoy An Evening Without Kate Bush. Young is a strong enough cabaret star in her own right to keep you entertained with her talent and warm banter. She even waits in the bar immediately after the show to chat with people as they leave.
The earlier version was at Soho Downstairs, full of cabaret tables. The Underbelly Boulevard has a more traditional seating arrangement but Young still moves into the audience when she can. A packed house went away with a smile and a warm glow from this lovely show.
Four stars.
An Evening Without Kate Bush continues at Underbelly Boulevard, Soho until 26 Apr. Details at the show’s website.
Photo credit: Shay Rowan