The Divine Miss Bette

Were you there when the Divine Miss M first strutted outrageously across Australian stages in the late 70s?

I was!

I’m not generally a great fan of artist tribute shows, but this vital Bette Midler cabaret show is a definite exception.

Go with the flow as Catherine Alcorn struts the small stage of Sydney’s Slide and this show might well transport you back to Sydney’s State Theatre more than three decades ago.

With a big voice, charismatic presence and personality, good comic timing and a voluptuous figure, Alcorn is a comfortable fit for the role. Doubtless vocal training from Steve Ostrow, who discovered Bette Midler, has helped complete the package.

Choosing from the best of Midler’s performance repertoire of songs and raunchy humour, with a medley of her movie songs thrown in for good measure, it’s not so much a script as a very best-of collection.

Interpolation of localizing references to Oprah Winfey’s recent visit was a rare weakness in this celebratory show.

Alcorn is backed in lively, sultry style by her slinky backing girls – the Harlettes - Karla Hillam as Paris Harlette and Michelle Brasier as Britney Harlette.

Musical Director Peter Rutherford provides impressive support at the piano, though recorded accompaniments are frequently used to fill out the sound.

A Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy encore provided a rousing end to the show.  

With a new producer coming onboard, bigger things are in the wings for this little show into the future, including a band and an additional backing singer.

Personally I’d love to see Dolores the mermaid motoring on and off in her electric wheelchair if the show graduates to big enough stages.

Neil Litchfield

Future dates: February 17 and March 24 at Slide, Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, May 19 – 22 at The Butterfly Club, Melbourne and May 28 in Griffith.