Minogue, who turns forty this year, found fame in the eighties with a role in the Australian series Neighbours. Then, with the help of a very talented team of British producers, she became a pop star. Her hit single I Should Be So Lucky and her coquettish, little-girl image instantly won over listeners in Europe and Asia. But after a few years, it became clear her producers were remixing the same hit single over and over again.
Minogue spent most of the 90s reinventing herself as an original songwriter and performer, with moderate success. She wrote solid songs and presented them well, but audiences had trouble accepting this alternative Kylie. It was not until 2000 that her transformation culminated, with a disco album that won her high praise from the critics. Since then, she has sung a duet with Robbie Williams, performed ABBA's Dancing Queen at the opening of the Syndey Olympics, and announced she had breast cancer.
Minogue brought material from her tenth album to Budapest's Arena. The waiting fans were kept entertained by cameramen who panned over the audience, projecting the images onto the big screens around the stage. Minogue arrived with charm and flair that reminded one of her compatriot Olivia Newton John. The stage show was spectacular (though the audience was well aware of Minogue running back stage to change costumes) and the special effects were dazzling. And herein lied the problem. Minogue is talented and down-to-earth, which is what her fans like about her, but she can't reign over a show like Madonna, for whom the stage show may have been better suited.
