Kate Miller-Heidke completes first rehearsal at Eurovision

Australia’s chances at Eurovision next week just got a lift, literally, after Kate Miller-Heidke completed her first rehearsal in Tel Aviv.

The arresting sway pole which appeared at the Australia Decides final on the Gold Coast is now replicated three times, with Miller-Heidke herself raised high, singing while she sways in the air. With a planetary backdrop, billowing fog, two acrobats and backing singers, she now appears like an intergalactic princess, performing “Zero Gravity.”

Although it took some 15 minutes to set up, our delegation won’t have that luxury on the big night/s.

Miller-Heidke told ESC she had been training with Strange Fruit in Melbourne, but there is still room for improvement.

But the bold performance has generated more optimism for our entry.

Wiwibloggs: Perched atop a precarious platform, Miller-Heidke models a fabulous gown and fabulous crown, serves expert handography, transports us to another galaxy. With limited mobility, you might forgive her not being able to emote to her fullest, but Australia’s girl turns it out.

ESCxtra: In arguably the most technologically advanced performance ever attempted at Eurovision, the entire performance is designed to give off the impression that Kate and her backing singers are floating above the earth in space. The LED backdrop is of galactic space, whilst we have a 3D rotating earth overlay on the bottom third of the screen.

Eurovisionary: This is very visual and first time round it appears they are getting these right as Kate is holding back with the vocals. The second time, the vocals were much better and this whole package is very entertaining. Kate has an extra long white dress on, the backing ladies, long black dresses, all made of lace. Let’s hope there are no accidents on stage here.

But others were less convinced:

OnEurope: Her voice stood up – just – to the rigours of her being flung about the stage in the last 70 seconds. A skill in itself, shared with her backing singers. The whole performance looked ill-conceived even for this song. If I’m honest, it’s lost the few national final redeeming features.

At the time of writing Australia has now moved into 9th position in the odds -but it’s still early days with Semi Final 2 yet to begin rehearsals.

Miller-Heidke gets her chance to qualify on Wednesday May 15 which SBS is screening Live at 5am AEST.