Michael Griffiths pays perfect tribute to Annie Lennox

Last year, singer Michael Griffiths impressed Perth audiences when he channelled pop icon Madonna in a one-man cabaret act that intricately weaved the artist’s music into her already tapestry-like life-story. Suffice to say, he left Madge fans and critics alike most satisfied.

Last week Griffiths was at it again – taking on the persona of a pop icon of a different kind – Annie Lennox; delivering her songs and anecdotes of her life as though he really were her in the intimate space that is downstairs at His Majesty’s Theatre.

With no accent, no costume, not even a wig (though he did appear to have a bit more gel in his hair this time ’round), Griffiths succeeded in balancing several tricky tasks at once. Not only did he impressively deliver fresh takes on popular tunes while maintaining they remain appealing to puritan fans, he did so non-stop, as an avid fan and yet unique talent himself, in front of an intimate audience, and all without smoke, mirrors or video effects.

Suffice to say, Griffiths did a dandy job being Annie Lennox for a night (well three nights; four shows in total). Even without the vivid orange hairdo a la Annie in her early days and sans the artist’s strong Scottish (speaking) accent, and even with the odd change in singing pitch, Griffiths injected just enough Annie-isms – egs: her terse response style; the pauses before the punchlines – to create a magnificent mirage.

Indeed, sweet dreams really are made of this, so far as live cabaret goes.  Antonino Tati