Review: An Evening Without Kate Bush, Underbelly Boulevard

I remember when Kate Bush first burst into our collective consciousness: innovative lyrics, boundary‑pushing music, striking choreography, and a pioneering use of technology that set her apart from the start. She was the first female artist to reach UK number one with a fully self‑written song, the first British solo female to top the UK albums chart, and the first woman to enter it at number one – the list goes on. Famously reluctant to tour, opportunities for fans to spend an evening in her presence have been rare, so why not spend An Evening Without Kate Bush and still feel the magic?

With an entrance featuring flowing oversized garments and an outrageous wig, it would be easy to assume the show, performed by Sarah-Louise Young and directed by Russell Lucas, is heading straight into parody. But that is not the case. Yes, there’s comedy, and yes, there’s a quirky homage to Kate Bush’s style and clichés, but everything is delivered with genuine affection and respect for the original. The ‘Fish People’ need not worry. (For the uninitiated, ‘Fish People’ is the nickname for hardcore Kate Bush fans, taken from the name of her record label.) 

You can’t do a Kate Bush show without the songs, obviously – but which ones make the cut?  The big hitters are all there, from ‘Wuthering Heights’ to ‘Running Up That Hill’, alongside some lesser‑known gems (well, lesser‑known to anyone who isn’t one of the Fish People).  Most numbers stay close to the original style, with a few reinterpretations that work well. ‘Babooshka’, for instance, gets a particularly fun twist.

The musical performance is excellent, and although the show is billed as cult cabaret and the balance generally feels right, Young’s voice is so strong that I found myself wishing she’d lean into the singing even more.  From the start, her audience interaction is fun, playful and handled gently. Nothing feels forced or embarrassing. Individuals lean into the exchanges willingly, and there is plenty of opportunity for some sing-alongs and a bit of dancing. The humour is a kind of mix of physical comedy, stand-up and improv.  Nothing falls flat, and it blends with the music seamlessly, each element supporting rather than interrupting the other.  

At the side of the stage sits an unassuming pile of ‘stuff’ that gradually reveals itself to be a treasure trove of wigs and costumes; not exact replicas, but instantly recognisable nods to Kate Bush’s iconic looks and album covers. Each change adds a fresh layer of humour, as does Young’s version of interpretative dance, another quintessential Kate Bush performance element.  

Although this is a one‑woman show, there’s clearly a whole team working behind the scenes. A shout‑out is due to the technician(s) for the seamless lighting transitions and spot‑on backing‑track cues.  

Young and Lucas have put together a tribute cabaret where reverence and ridiculousness sit together happily throughout, with every element combining to create a fun, affectionate, and thoroughly enjoyable celebration of the one and only Kate Bush.

Devised and performed by Sarah-Louise Young
Devised and directed by Russell Lucas

An Evening Without Kate Bush plays at Underbelly Boulevard until Sunday 26 April