Why Kate Bush? One might point to recent television exposure acting as a lever, boosting her existing popularity and opening a gap into which UK performer Young has happily stepped to show us both Bush and her own remarkable talent.

After Bush’s live performances in 1979, there were still recordings, including a reworked “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” at the 2012 Olympics, but she waited until 2014 to resume live shows, selling 75,000 tickets in just 15 minutes. Further live appearances were rare.

In 2022, “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” had another outing, this time in the Netflix series Stranger Things, and public enthusiasm surged.

Deciding to present a tribute act in that context would seem to be a no-brainer given the likely demand, but that’s not to say it would be easy to undertake properly. After all, one might too readily offend the die-hards if it strayed too far from the original artist’s style. On the other hand, more than a simple replica would always be desirable.

Young does take engaging risks in her tribute. It is an inclusive and respectful approach delivered with panache and undeniable musical talent, but with an added twist of wry humour. She steps out of character at times to deliver personal anecdotes, too. There is even a tribute to another tribute performer that is simultaneously funny and earnest.

Importantly, Bush’s stage persona is accurately presented, and there is cleverly spare but sharp attention to stagecraft. Bush studied interpretive dance and mime. While Young has not, and admits it, she moves adeptly. She draws on audience knowledge of significant costumes, to their delight.

Understanding fans’ knowledge of such things sets expectations for any artist intending a Bush homage. Critically, you need to deliver a credible version of ‘that’ ethereal voice. Here, Young excels.

Logically, the set list incorporates celebrated songs. There is “Babooshka”, crazily rendered in Russian, with Young exhorting the audience to sing along. “Hounds of Love” is performed with an impromptu backup quartet drawn from the audience, and “Don’t Give Up” with a waltzing couple on stage. “Man with a Child in His Eyes”, and “Running Up That Hill (A Deal with God)” are well wrought. By the time “Wuthering Heights” concludes the show, the audience is fully primed. They happily sang the first half of the song unprompted before Young chimed in.

An unexpected mini-conference after the show with two other reviewers who were seated nearby quickly came to a unanimous conclusion: five stars all round for a thoroughly theatrical and commanding performance. Here, you can both have Kate and not have her. Great stuff either way.

An Evening Without Kate Bush is being performed at the Space Theatre until June 17.

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