We’re in luck: Kate Butch is workshopping her jukebox musical: Bush! to audiences at the Fringe this Summer. With protagonist Kathy (a la Wuthering Heights) at the helm, we follow her journey navigating trials and tribulations—informed, of course, by Kate Bush lyrics.
Intelligent, camp, sassy and down-right fabulous
With help from the audience, Butch builds Kathy’s world using a technique she gleaned from the swathes of jukebox musicals on the musical theatre market which she calls, ‘musical shoehorning’. This is where song lyrics are taken out of context and drive the narrative which, when Kate Bush is concerned, is guaranteed to be a wacky ride. But you don’t have to be a fan of the Bush to appreciate the ridiculous storyline; Butch’s references speak for themselves, providing material that is utterly hilarious in its own right.
Transforming audience members into ‘young Kathy’, ’James’, ‘Kathy’s (dead) dad’, a priest and ‘Kashka from Baghdad’, the audience are involved from the start and, naturally, hilarity ensues. Ever sarcastic and witty, Butch riffs with the crowd with great aplomb, demonstrating her keen improvisational comedy skills that never fail us.
Butch’s singing talents are equally impressive as she performs a variety of Bush songs (an octave lower) live, boasting spectacular vocals and magnetic physicality. She truly owns the stage with a commanding presence that makes her effortless to watch. But it’s not all visual gags and raunchy humour: Butch takes your breath away with heartfelt renditions of This Woman’s Work and And Dream of Sheep, where her dulcet tones and acting skills combine to produce stunning theatrical performances. Another stand-out moment is when Butch builds a non-copyright version of a Kate Bush song in front of our eyes (and ears), which is met with guffaws of laughter. And just when you think she’s impressed you enough, she ups the octave in a rendition of Wuthering Heights that will delight Bush fans and sceptics alike.
Intelligent, camp, sassy and down-right fabulous, Kate Butch’s Wuthering Shites is a stand-out at this year’s Fringe.
