“The Beatles, but make it lush, jazzy and sassy!”
Alana Kaye
4 Stars
Plant 4 Bowden
21 Feb – 16 Mar
Adelaide Fringe Festival
The Beatles, but make it lush, jazzy and sassy!
Local SA cabaret singer, writer and producer Charlee Watt brought a whole new meaning to songs from the most famous boy band in history.
Beating Up The Beatles featured a combination of Watt’s own arrangements “from the woman’s perspective” plus well known versions. There were favourite songs from the Beatles’ catalogue, and some more obscure tunes too. It was an uplifting afternoon, and you didn’t need to be a Beatles fan to enjoy it.
From the moment the first notes of ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’ began to play, Watt had us hooked. She displayed incredible vocal control and power – truly unbelievable for someone who’s just turned 20. She gave us serious sultry saloon singer vibes with a hint of Adele huskiness. Divine.
Watt wasn’t shy in talking to us about her age. In fact, it was woven through her storytelling between songs. Despite having a voice that sounds like it’s brimming with experience and memory, Watt was open about the fact that she’s still got a lot to learn about love and life.
Supporting Watt was an exceptional 4-piece band. I saw a preview of this show earlier in the Fringe when the band wasn’t there, so seeing all the elements together (vocals, keyboard, bass guitar, drums and saxophone) was an utter delight.
I thought I could sense some nerves on her final performance, and Watt did cling to her script a little too tightly. There were some charming moments of spontaneity where she let herself loosen up a bit, and I’d encourage more of that in the future.
And I do believe Watt has an incredible future ahead of her. I can’t wait to see what she does next.
Keep an eye on her Instagram for her next performances, and hopefully she’ll be heading to a town near you!
Alana Kaye, Theatre Now
