Adelaide Cabaret Festival – Taken By Storm

OK. Let’s get something out of the way first, I think I have a girl-crush on Storm Large. I’ll admit it, she is sassy, sexy, brilliant and so freaking rock it hurts.

Returning to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Storm Large wants to talk about love. Love with its addictive, twisted and overwhelming hold on the human condition. Love that drives us bat-sh*t crazy.

Growing up with a love of Punk music, and singing like the best of the divas, Storm Large cannot be put in a box or categorised as her appeal is too wide for such narrow views. She interprets covers in fresh and intriguing ways as well as delivers the odd original to demonstrate her point.

Supported by her rocking band, Le Bonheur, Storm Large looks stunning in a slinky gown and pink, rock-chick hair and engages with her audience through story-telling and observations about humanity and love that resonates true. There is no pussy-footing around with Storm Large. She calls a spade a spade but has such a big heart that you can’t help being drawn into her perspective. You either want to be her or be with her, she’s just that captivating.

There are so many highlights, with hit after hit being twisted and turned on its head. Her interpretation of some love songs, analysing the actual words is both funny and scary. The showstopper however is her rendition of ‘Hopelessly Devoted’ from Grease that will make you look at Sandra-dee in a totally different light (not to mention the “probably gay Scientologist”).

Finally, just to consolidate her star power, Storm Large treated the audience to an anthemic belter of Queen’s ‘Somebody to Love’ as her contribution to the “heterosexuality of the marriage equality debate” that had the audience standing, cheering and singing along.

Storm Large is a force to be reckoned with and her unique persona, powerhouse vocals and ability to engage with an audience of all styles is freaking awesome. Welcome back!