Katy Perry has been praised for her ‘highly camp’ Las Vegas residency after its opening night at the Resorts World on Wednesday.
The hitmaker, 37, delighted her fans with the zany show that saw her emerge from a giant toilet and converse with a talking mask, with critics lauding the show as both ‘poignant’ and ‘whimsical, and psychedelic.’
Katy’s show, which featured several nods to the Covid pandemic, also saw the star hark back ot her iconic California Gurls video with an array of colourful ensembles, before lactating, and drinking, beer out of a bra dress made from cans.
Top of the bogs! Katy Perry has been praised for her ‘thoroughly camp’ Las Vegas residency after its opening night at the Resorts World on Wednesday
After Katy kicked off her residency in Sin City, several critics have offered their thoughts, with most praising the wild and wacky showcase as being just the tonic for fans during the Covid pandemic.
Rolling Stone’s Mark Gray said, who lauded the ‘larger than life’ production, adding: ‘Aptly titled ”Play,” the show is quintessential Perry, who indulged the emotional, the over-the-top, the whimsical, the psychedelic, and even the cheesy over the course of 95 minutes.
‘The concert — which the artist is referring to as ‘Perry Playland’ — amounted to a giant singalong, which seemed to be exactly what she had in mind.’
Stellar: The hitmaker delighted her fans with the zany show that saw her emerge from a giant toilet and converse with a talking mask, with critics lauding the show as both ‘poignant’ and ‘whimsical, and psychedelic
We love it! After Katy kicked off her residency in Sin City, several critics have offered their thoughts, with most praising the wild and wacky showcase as being just the tonic for fans during the Covid pandemic
Elsewhere, Billboard’s Melinda Sheckells noted a ‘surprisingly poignant’ moment came when Katy poured beer from her tin-can dress, while chatting to an enormous disposable mask.
She added: ‘This almost two-hour wild ride through ”Perry Playland” transports the audience into another dimension of rainbow fluff, heart-shaped confetti and larger-than-life anthropomorphic household objects – it’s part fantasty, part hallucination and thoroughly high-camp Perry.’
Writing in the Las Vegas Review Journal, John Katsilometes noted the moment Katy referenced her late grandmother Ann Pearl Hudson, who worked on the Lido de Paris production at the Stardust, which has since been demolished and replaced by Resorts World.
Sensational: Among a slew of enormous props, during her show Katy could be seen emerging from a giant orange toilet before showing off her twerking skills
He added: ‘Maybe that’s where Perry gets her sense of grandeur, her wild imagination and appreciation of Vegas spectacle. She’s funny, fearless, fit for the task. Even Mr. Maskie can’t conceal the appeal of Perry’s ”Play.”
Among a slew of enormous props, during her show Katy could be seen emerging from a giant orange toilet before showing off her twerking skills.
According to reports, the pop star will be performing 32 shows up until March, which will see her pocket $168million, making her the latest star to cash in with nightly Sin City shows.
Probably… the best show in the world! Katy Perry ‘lactated’ beer out of a sexy dress made of cans before downing it during the opening night of her $168m Vegas residency – giving a nod to the pandemic with giant mask and toilet roll props
Cheers! The singing sensation put on a pop-tastic show her avid fans would not forget, especially when she indulged on the lactated pint, as she kicked off her run in Sin City
The beer-indulging may have been a standout moment difficult to outdo, but the Teenage Dream songstress ensured she pulled out all of the wardrobe stops elsewhere during the momentous evening, including a bold sparking yellow-and-orange slit gown and a pink-and-white vinyl mini dress.
In total the star donned eight different looks for the show, also including an eye-catching white mini dress a pink PVC dress with a toadstool-inspired hat, before changing into a pink Cleopatra-style gown as she emerged from a keyhole.
For another fun look, the star channelled the 60s in a bubble-inspired white dress as she performed alongside a enormous inflatable ducks.
Given the impact of the recent Covid pandemic, it was no surprise that Katy alluded to the virus with several oversized props, including a huge mask, and toilet rolls, to reference panic-buying of the essential at the start of the crisis last year.
Cheeky: Given the impact of the recent Covid pandemic, it was no surprise that Katy alluded to the virus with several oversized props, including a huge mask
Opening night: The beer-indulging may have been a standout moment difficult to outdo, but the Teenage Dream songstress ensured she pulled out all of the wardrobe stops
Girl power: The Teenage Dream songstress looked sensational in a sparkling yellow, orange and white slit gown
Standing out: Katy commanded the stage in an array of fun and colourful looks, as she climbed atop an array of different props for each performance during the show
No loo roll shortage here! Katy alluded to the recent Covid pandemic and its hysterical panic-buying, by emerging from a giant toilet, before making a sweet reference to her daughter Daisy Dove, with the inclusion of an oversized flower in the show
Swish beer: She posed on top of a Budweiser dupe beer can in her can-inspired ensemble
Metallic: Katy rocked the aluminum-can adorned look with a silver pair of over-the-knee boots
Katy’s sets were nothing short of spectacular, comprising a keyhole, ducks, a life-size face mask – and the neon toilet which the Californian-born jumped out of.
The global star made her way through an impressive setlist, including classics such as Dark Horse, California Gurls, I Kissed A Girl, Teenage Dream, Roar, and Firework.
Along with changing into a total of eight jaw-dropping looks, the hitmaker showcased her jaw-dropping figure in the sexy dress, surrounded by dancers in their own zany looks.
Her show sparked a flurry of reaction from her die-hard fans, with many desperate to know more about the show, and more importantly whether tickets were still available.
One wrote: ‘Got to watch the amazing @katyperry and her team perform in Vegas tonight. What a treat!…’ while another added: ‘Katy Perry’s Vegas residency looks… interesting…
Sign of the times: Katy referenced the global pandemic as she sat beside a giant face mask prop
Here she is! At one point she emerged onto the stage in her eye-catching yellow and orange sequinned gown, surrounded by backing dancers
Quirky: For another fun look, the singer transformed into a toadstool, manoeuvring her way around the stage in a tight leather bodysuit and tasselled trousers
Nice to meet you! She danced alongside a bikini-clad frog during one wild moment – while dressed as a sexy mushroom
We love it! Her show sparked a flurry of reaction from her die-hard fans, with many desperate to know more about the show, and more importantly whether tickets were still available
A third wrote: ‘THIS is how u do a vegas show,’ while one added: ‘What is going on here and why do I need to find a way to get my tickets for Katy Perry in Vegas IMMEDIATELY now??? (Also, side note, When I’m Gone is the best thing she’s released since NRO and I NEED to hear it live with a horde of screaming, dancing fans…)’
One posted: ‘Katy looks so happy in her las vegas residency omg i love you so much and i’m so proud of you… katy perry was born for vegas and you can’t deny it…
‘Katy Perry really the true Vegas Queen wow,’ one gushed.
The mother-of-one’s debut residency – which will continue into the new year – was established during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Katy described it as ‘larger than life’ and ‘the kookiest, most camp show I’ve ever put together.’
And if the set of photographs from the showstopping first night are anything to go by, the Californian star has spoken that into existence.
Stellar: After emerging from the toilet, Katy sported a stunning white sequinned dress with a fringed trim, along with a matching headpiece and gloves, as she belted out one of her biggest hits
Wow! She was surrounded by wild dancers for some pretty energetic routines as she knelt on the floor
Having fun? Proving that being a superstar was simply childs play, Katy was surrounded by oversized toys and props as she changed into her different looks, including a fun purple 1960s-inspired rain jacket
She wore an incredible candy-striped dress and white boots for one number – her dress had an umbrella-style skirt design
Cheers to you! She raised her pint to her huge mask before embarking on another number
What an entrance! She walked through a giant keyhole atop a rainbow floor
Queen of pop: She later donned a pink Cleopatra-style gown as she emerged from a keyhole, no doubt channelling the video for her single Dark Horse
Quackers look: She posed in front of some giant ducks in a 60s themed mini dress with two-tone boots
On Tuesday, Katy teased her fans before the first show by revealing her full set list.
The musician posted a brief video for her 146million Instagram fans where she showed off her neat handwriting while sharing each song she will be performing during her set.
‘TOMORROW you can officially come to PERRY PLAYLAND Where you can come and sing along to so many of your favorite songs! #PLAY,’ she captioned her post.
A new chapter: On Tuesday, Katy teased her fans the night before the first show by revealing her full set list
Among some of the tunes she will be singing at Resorts World in Vegas are hits like California Gurls, I Kissed A Girl, Teenage Dream, Roar, and Firework.
Comedian Amy Schumer seemed ready for the show as she commented, ‘Holy s**t’ adding three fire emojis.
Meanwhile singer Rita Ora wrote, ‘Literally hit after hit after hit.’
Hit maker: The musician posted a video for her 146million Instagram fans where she showed off her neat handwriting while sharing each song she will be performing during her set
She has been giving fans glimpses at the behind-the-scenes preparations ahead of the show on social media, sharing videos of props and costumes.
Last week she unveiled one of her many stage props – a large, animated toilet – in a brief video shared to Instagram.
‘Only 8 more days until you can come to PERRY PLAYLAND’ captioned Perry, adding that those in attendance will ‘be flush with happiness!’
The giant toilet prop comes in a blinding shade of orange and boasted two toilet paper rolls for eyes. The lid moved up and down to mimic a mouth.
Perry recently revealed how she’s been physically preparing for the hectic residency schedule.
Quirky! She has been giving fans glimpses at the behind-the-scenes preparations ahead of the show and recently unveiled one of her many stage props – a large, animated toilet
Unique props: The Teenage Dream singer also revealed another stage prop – a colorful chair and a set of children’s wooden number blocks
Lucrative deal: As reported by Electronic Vegas earlier this year, the Witness songstress allegedly will ‘perform two nights a week for four months during the $168 million contract’
The singer said she has been working out three to five days a week.
She also told Entertainment Tonight that she has mostly been focusing on ‘strength training and weights,’ but also loves to take hikes with her family, including her partner, actor Orlando Bloom, and the couple’s one-year-old daughter Daisy Dove.
‘We also like to hike. Orlando has one of those hiking backpacks that we can pop Daisy into; she loves it,’ shared the Grammy nominee.
Getting ready: In preparation for the show, Katy said she has been working out three to five days a week and focusing on ‘strength training and weights’
The singer’s beau also helps out with her fashion choices.
Perry told E! News on December 15 that the actor was happy to help her pick out the wardrobe for the big show.
‘We talked about the costumes and the makeup. Sometimes when I’m going to a fitting, he’ll ask for notes or I’ll show him this,’ she said, promising fans that her outfits will feature plenty of rhinestones.
Style guru: Katy revealed that her partner Orlando Bloom was happy to give her fashion advice ahead of the residency; Pictured on Sep 30, 2021 in Beverly Hills