Lady Sings it Better are six women who perform songs written by men in cabaret style, and it’s true – they do indeed ‘sing them better.’
Transforming songs including Ginuwine’s ‘Pony’ and James’ ‘Laid’ into numbers with exceptional harmonies and soaring vocals, the originals really couldn’t compare. Nine Inch Nails’ ‘Closer’ was also a standout, and has been a classic staple of the show for a long time.
Apart from the high-class vocals and creative musical arrangements, the set was also chosen very carefully to reveal a shocking yet quite hilarious agenda below the surface of many songs.
After a side splitting rendition of The Police’s ‘Every Breath You Take’ (performed as part of a medley), the group revealed that – as Anna Martin put it so succinctly – some songs are less about love and more about the need for taking out an AVO on someone.
It’s true and intensely interesting that when a group of feisty women pull apart and reconstruct men’s songs, the lyrics do appear quite sexist and controlling, or at the very least ego driven. Lady Sings it Better use this for the best possible purpose though – some fun, and a whole lot of comedy.
All six performers have a talent for pulling ludicrous faces at just the right moment, although Maeve Marsden would certainly win the prize if one were given. Cute little dance moves and simple actions are the final touch to making songs like Inner Circle’s ‘Sweat (A La La La La Long)’ and Shaggy’s ‘It Wasn’t Me’ into gorgeous sounding pieces of ridiculousness. I felt they could have done more with The Radiators’ ‘Gimme Head’, but then the loud faux-orgasm by Jenni Little at the end of the song was probably enough awkwardness already for the audience.
Also, this group of unpaid professionals who do the show out of love are currently without a choreographer – so considering this, the quality of the show is remarkably high.
The six singing voices are worth turning up for alone – but particularly Libby Wood and Chandra Franken, who gave some breathtaking performances during the evening.
Just one song was performed by Hayden Barltrop, the group’s musical director and pianist, with a beautiful, romantic version of Kylie’s ‘Can’t Get You Out of My Head’ – again, much lovelier than the original. The girls joked that they ‘found him in Edinburgh’ (though he’s actually from Wahroonga).
There’s a warm sense of family about these performers on stage – it’s obvious they’re all very good friends, very close, and love working together. That good energy flows out to everyone watching them and makes for a truly joyous evening.
At the moment, it doesn’t appear that there are any divas in the mob that make up Lady Sings it Better – just a whole lot of love. Hopefully it will stay that way as they notch up their successes – because their star going to keep rising, that’s for sure. Catch this excellent bunch while you can during Mardi Gras – the first show sold out, and it’s likely to happen again!
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Lady Sings it Better
The Factory Floor, Marrickville
14, 23 and 24 February
Additional dates:
Jurassic Lounge Queer Culture Night
The Australian Museum, Sydney
26 February
Gluttony, Rymill Park, Adelaide
5 – 17 March
