Spellbinding reflections on a crazy world

While one of the joys of the Fringe is taking a punt on unknown acts, or hunting down the word-of-mouth buzz around town about the next big thing, there’s also plenty of room to indulge yourself with the tried and tested.

And they don’t come more tried and tested than irish chanteuse Camille O’Sullivan, pictured, who is marking her 13th year at the Fringe.

in that time, the architectturned-international performer has established herself as a festival favourite thanks to her storytelling teamed with a spellbinding blend of rock, cabaret and ballads featuring the likes of Brel, Bowie and whatever else takes her fancy.

her new show is no exception and, as usual, doesn’t disappoint. Backed by a four-piece band, she takes to the stage clad in a red hooded cape, her jet black hair and ruby red lips suggestive of Snow White (albeit a dark, eccentric version). There’s a fairy tale otherworldliness about Camille. Part edith Piaf, part Bjork, with a nod to PJ harvey and a splash of Carmen’s wild, sexy gipsy about her, she cuts a chameleon-like figure. Which may explain her devotion to David Bowie, who also knew a thing or two about being a chameleon, and whose songs, alongside those of leonard Cohen, dominate a captivating evening more sombre in tone than last year’s rockier The Carny Dream. As for the title, well, Bowie’s haunting hit is given a heartbreaking outing and makes for one of the highlights of the show. A globe on stage, sound bites of Donald Trump, and a speech about what it feels like to sing Bowie and Cohen now they are gone – ‘i don’t think we’ll see their like again’ – suggest Camille is taking stock in a crazy, changing world.

Certainly, the power with which she delivers Cohen’s The Future, with its call to repent and chilling refrain, ‘i’ve seen the future people, and it’s murder’, is breathtaking and, dare i say it, better than the original.

elsewhere, Radiohead’s Karma Police is dusted down and Jacques Brel’s Marieke gets a lively airing.

The show closes with Nick Cave’s The Ship Song. here, Camille mingles with the crowd and conducts what almost feels like a collective prayer meeting. Maybe the future isn’t murder after all. Maybe community will save us.

Underbelly Circus Hub, until Aug 26