WENDY RULE
Universal Theatre, May 1999

It was the first new moon since Samhain (Southern Hemisphere) and the show was sold out. Essentially a social gathering, many of the crowd knew each other - it took 20 minutes for everyone to get a seat and calm down. And before this velvet foredrop of Goths and Pagans sat a platinum princess, sitting silently centre stage, meditating straight-faced, patiently. The stage was stark except for five candles on a pentacle stand.

When the moment was right she spoke to us briefly about death and rebirth - "it begins with a call, and I willingly rise, as one part lives and the other dies". Then she sings. A Cappella. Now the audience is silent, meditating, transfixed. She is looking very Egyptian, with a white wig and white dress. Accompanied sometimes by cello and a backup duo, Wendy's voice soars and echoes around the theatre.  And it's all very serious. More so without the usual distractions of lighting cigarettes and buying rounds. Only the intermission could break the mesmeric trance.

As the crowd refilled their wine glasses, the stage transformed. Stark white curtains were removed to reveal leopard skin banners and serpentine iconography. Trees and rugs appeared - leaves were scattered.

Then she swapped serious for sexy. Part Two began like a scene from Midsummer's Night Dream. Wendy opened a circle and four female devotees traipsed in. Each placed an elemental object on an altar, and a sacred ritual commenced. The five were dressed in simple brown rags, not unlike Raquel Welch in One Million Years BC. We have entered a stage of rebirth, Wendy tells us, then they chant "Air, Fire, Water, Earth" in swirling repetition. Before we know it the stage is draped with a dozen Pans and nymphs, lounging with grapes, wine and smiles. They fondle each other orgiastically as fairy children flit about. Wendy builds up to her full force, becomes an electrifying, operatic Xena. The cast then dance in a circle as if around a bonfire. Eventually the energy dissipated, and Wendy closed the circle, thanked the audience and said goodnight. However she was easily persuaded to encore with a pair of tunes from Deity, her last album.

The show was accessible to neophytes and magical for all. With this bold venture into musical theatre Wendy has created something truly special.

A full moon encore played May 29, same venue.

Wendy's homepage is here