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Kylie Minogue returns to the stage

Pop star Kylie Minogue performs in Sydney on Saturday. — PHOTO: AP

SYDNEY: An ornate Kylie Minogue dazzled an adoring homeland crowd on Saturday in the diva's triumphant first foray onto the stage since she was diagnosed with breast cancer 18 months ago.

"Good evening Sydney!" were the London-based Australian's first words as she rose on a platform from the centre of the stage. "How are you feeling tonight?"

The 2004 Grammy award winner's performance before a sellout crowd of 10,000 was the much anticipated comeback from her shock diagnosis of the potentially fatal disease in May last year just days before the Australian leg of `The Showgirl Tour' was set to begin. She had successful surgery in her hometown of Melbourne and a course of chemotherapy in Paris, where her French actor boyfriend, Olivier Martinez, has a home.

During her recovery, she wrote a children's book, The Showgirl Princess and launched her own perfume, `Darling.' The 38-year-old former soap opera teen star wore a pink-feathered headdress and flowing gown by designer John Galliano to kick off her renamed `Showgirl Homecoming Tour.' She also wore a dazzling bejewelled pink corset as she launched the concert with her classic hit "Better The Devil You Know." She went on to sing dance smash "In Your Eyes," as well as a new song, "White Diamond," which she penned with the American kitsch disco group The Scissor Sisters. An energetic Minogue also rolled out favourites "On A Night Like This," "Shocked," "Spinning Around" and "Confide In Me."

"Are you ready for your 15 minutes of fame? Do you like what you see?" Minogue asked her cheering audience. As well as outfits by Galliano, Minogue donned costumes by designers Gareth Pugh, Dolce e Gabbana, Karl Lagerfeld and Emilio Pucci.

After Australia, Minogue will travel back to Europe, playing dates in Britain from January 2 — AP

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