An Evening Without Kate Bush

Out on a cold and windy Soho there is a show that is sure to warm you right through.

There is always a fine line between doing a tribute act and paying homage to someone you have loved from an early age. Even more tricky to make this into an hour of unadulterated fun. Sarah Louise Young does this with huge success. Her impish charm, whole-hearted joy and haunting voice win the audience over within seconds. Partly concealed behind a black organza cloak with just red torch light, it is her voice that first captivates.

You soon realise that this is an immersive cabaret style piece that relies more than somewhat on the 'fans of The Bush' to add to the content of the show, whether it be singing along to choruses or being asked to join her onstage. But, 'without Kate Bush' to see in person, there are always going to be those super-fans more than happy to share in the fun. There were several that first night that she coerced with great aplomb and comedic timing.

There are renditions of all the classics including Wow, Running Up That Hill, Army Dreamers, Cloudbusting, The Man With The Child In His Eyes and Don't Give Up. All delivered cleverly with minimal costume changes and bucket loads of her own captivating personality. Her energy seems limitless, throwing herself around the small stage using as many of Kate Bush's moves and gestures as she can. Wigless, she even embodies the mime artist Lindsay Kemp whilst delivering 'Babooshka ' in Russian correcting even the title. She keeps the audience waiting for Kate's first hit, and signature song. But at the end , as a long white gown and long curly wig are effortlessly drawn from her stash of clothing, and we hear the first chords we know it's 'Wuthering Heights. Then in a twist, she turns the microphone around and lets the fans do most of the singing whilst performing all the moves as a prompt for the lyrics.

With Kate Bush being a near recluse, there is little opportunity to experience firsthand her unique sound and the albums that many of the audience had grown up with. Sarah Louise Young fills that void perfectly, The standing ovation is as much a thank you for the memories as a way of thanking her for her own unique performance. To steal a lyric, Wow... Unbelievable!