I Am Your Tribute is the newest show from Sarah Louise Young in which she does not claim to be a tribute act, instead she pays homage to stars of past and present and tells us what it means to be a tribute act. She shares her story of how she got into the industry by accident, but has found her calling in writing and directing various tribute shows, all respectfully showing admiration and utmost love to their chosen subjects. 

It's a big show for one woman to pull off and Sarah Louise does it incredibly, working with the crowd, showing off her incredible vocal talent and brilliant story-telling. 

Opening with a Freddie Mercury moustache singing ‘We Will Rock You' the audience are immediately involved and enthralled. We go on a journey with her through why tribute acts exist, their relationship with the actual artists and their fandoms. Sarah Louise shows her respect for the artists she tributes, she knows that tribute acts can often be looked down on as cheap or naff but there is a huge industry of these acts world over, Elvis being the most popular! 

This is penned as a ‘choose your own adventurer show’ and this is where the audience comes into play.  Sole members are handed wigs representing their favourite artists and are later called upon throughout the show. It adds another fun element to an already joyous show. 

Sarah Louise also isn’t afraid to be vulnerable with her audience, there are heartfelt moments where she has struggled with what she does, specifically when she received a cease and desist notice from the legal team of Julie Andrews when Sarah Louise wrote ‘Julie Madly Deeply’, a show in homage to Andrews.  She tells of the fear she felt that she did not have Andrew’s blessing (though she did the show anyway and it was a great success). 

This is a fantastic show from start to finish, it’s a 1am show at 12pm (because it’s Fringe and you can see cabaret at any time of day!). It’s a wonderful journey through time of music and brilliant stories. Every song is an earworm and the audience are invited to join in on the sing along.  There is one original song centered around theatre etiquette which is truly inspired and hilarious!

Young has something special in this show and it’s well worth seeing if you can! 

This show was reviewed on the 24th August 2024 at PBH's Free Fringe @ Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh where it runs until the 25th August 2024.  Details here: I Am Your Tribute | Cabaret and Variety | Edinburgh Festival Fringe (edfringe.com)

Review written by Rosie Browne

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