She’s not there. But YOU are.

I had no idea what I was signing up for when I booked tickets for An Evening Without Kate Bush. My husband had seen the trailer for it and expressed an interest, and while I wouldn’t necessarily count myself as a superfan (or one of her Fish People, as they are apparently collectively known) I do love her lyrics, her sound, and her mysterious, quirky persona. OK, perhaps I am a tiny bit of a fan then. Subconsciously.

This is a one-woman show that it’s probably best to go into cold, so writing a review about it is rather a challenge. There are 5-star reviews aplenty adorning the flyers in the lobby at the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot, where the tour stopped for one night only tonight. The venue was buzzing with, I can only guess, fans of Kate Bush. Or people like me, intrigued by the title of the show and a passing interest in the private songstress.

Described as “the chaotic cabaret cult” the show exhibits the indescribable talents of Sarah-Louise Young, co-creator along with director Russell Lucas. It is a glorious and spectacular evening spent with someone who, if she is not a superfan of Kate Bush, has done extensive research. Young and Lucas have concocted a show that celebrates the mysterious, ethereal essence of the singer in a jubilant and heart-warming way.

As well as being an incredible singer, Young switches effortlessly between heartfelt, spine-tingling songs, cabaret and comedy with onstage costume changes, audience participation and a masterclass in the dance moves and oddity of Kate Bush. There were moments when I could have cried at her powerful vocal performance, but mostly, along with the rest of the audience, I was laughing and enjoying the somewhat bizarre ride. Young captures the eccentricity of Bush, while also delving into some weird and fabulous tales from the Fish People she has interacted with at previous performances.

This show is for anyone, but it has the Bush superfan at its core. And I am definitely ready to sign up.