My expectation is high as I drive to Onehunga for YOÜ, the Gaga extravaganza! I am a big Lady Gaga fan so was excited to see what APAC (Adam Performing Arts Company) had to offer. The programme states that “the piece is a gargantuan accolade of music, love and humanity on the fringe of homespun entertainment.” Wow – can’t wait! 

Pearce St Hall is a community space that houses a catwalk with seating around the stage for this performance. The curtain opens to a city landscape, the music is loud with a silhouette of Lady Gaga on the back wall with no performers. Next up is six dancers huddled together, who break into dance with the pop track ‘Just Dance’. Adam Procter leads the ensemble, with 4-5 backup dancers wearing short denim cut-offs, black singlet and a blue shirt tied midriff. 

All the girls have their hair loose, red lipstick and cats eyes. Adam is dressed in black and black high top shoes for the entire performance, with the exception of a couple of add-ons.

I am disappointed with the costumes being so canvas, the makeup so watered down. When Gaga is so outrageous, what’s happened? There are no wigs, hats, meat dresses, wedge shoes or corsetry.

Gaga’s songs like ‘Paparazzi’, ‘Jesus is the New black’, and ‘Bad Romance’ feature in lip-synced fashion. This is like watching a bad episode of Glee, also triggering memories of a high school musical. Lady Gaga gone wrong.

Adam Procter, who is the director/founder/choreographer of APAC, announces to the audience that “It’s all about you, be who you are and be proud.” Procter indicates this will be “an amazing Gaga experience that will entertain.” Homage to Gaga should be loud and proud; in the words of Lady Gaga herself: “When you make music, or write, or create, it’s really your job to have mind blowing, irresponsible, condomless sex with whatever idea it is you are writing about at the time.” YOÜ fails to reach orgasmic heights.

All the dancing is repetitive: jumping and circular arm movements. When the performers sit on the stage for a couple of poorly lip-synced songs, to my horror they forget the lyrics. I thought this amateur dance ensemble were Gaga enthusiasts, that were mimicking ‘Little Monsters’ (teenage groupies).

As I leave the performance, I feel Gaga-underwhelmed and cheated. Lady Gaga is one of my icons, and this experience does not represent her full glory. Procter is definitely Gaga-obsessed and his passion transparent. This feels like a dress rehearsal. With a sprinkling of Gaga dust and enhanced choreography, Procter could bring YOÜ to life.

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