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Barbra Tours Europe: London |
News/July 2007 |
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Barbra in London - July 18, 2007
(Image:
thisislondon.co.uk)
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July 18, 22 & 25
O2 Arena
London, U.K. |
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Final Stop: London
July 19, 2007
Barbra opened in London
last night, the first of
three performances
designated for the UK
capital. Of all the cities
on her tour, tickets for
Barbra's London
performances were met with
the greatest demand, and
by all accounts, she did
not disappoint the masses.
For the most part, the
song's she performed were
the same as the rest of
the tour, though for James
Brolin's birthday she cut
"Papa, Can You Hear Me" in
favor of "I've Dreamed Of
You."
Perched in the front
row was Andrew Lloyd Webber who received a special shout-out from Barbra
as she and the Broadway Boys performed his composition, "The Music of
the Night." British comedic actor Richard E. Grant ("LA Story" and ""Gosford
Park") was there too, along with the ever glamorous Joan Collins
("Dynasty" and more recently "Footballers Wives"), adding to the
evening's star-studded glitz.
Barbra continues with two additional performance in London over the next
week, including her European closing night, slated for July 25.
Local Review
July 19, 2007
From Reuters
Barbra Streisand left fans in Europe crying for more as she neared the end
of a tour marked by controversy over high ticket prices, reports of diva behaviour and mixed reviews.
The 65-year-old star blended old classics and lesser known songs with her
trademark banter late on Wednesday at a concert in London, the final stop
of her tour. The crowd hummed along, stood to cheer and shed tears during
a night of nostalgia.
She plays two more nights at the O2 arena on Sunday and next Wednesday,
winding up her first tour of the region which many also believe will be
her last.
Streisand, who went through three black dresses and some spectacular
jewels, opened with "Starting Here, Starting Now" before reminiscing about
previous visits to the city, including a meeting with Princess Diana.
After "Down With Love" she engaged the not-quite-sellout crowd, struggling
to hear comments being shouted from the auditorium.
"I don’t know whether it’s the accent or a senior moment here," she joked.
Streisand also explained her use of tele-prompters, which several
reviewers had picked up on during the tour.
"That is true, I do have them as a security blanket," she said, recalling
a 1967 concert in Central Park, New York, where she forgot the words to
three songs in front of 150,000 people.
"It frightened me so much that I didn’t sing in public, and charge, for 27
years. It’s there as a kind of backup."
Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber was at the concert to hear Streisand, whose
official biography names her as the highest-selling female recording
artist ever.
"SHE’S WORTH IT"
The Evening Standard reported this week that Streisand had sent a list of
demands to the hotel where she was staying, including ordering staff not
to approach her unless asked and requesting specific sheets, flowers and
candles.
But the same newspaper
described her performance on Wednesday as "priceless", despite ticket
prices of up to 600 pounds ($1,200) and criticism of four male singers who
came on stage midway through the gig while Streisand took a break.
The review also noted that a question supposedly submitted by the crowd on
their way into the gig was identical to one asked in Manchester, as was
the answer.
When asked if she would agree to playing a prostitute in a film again, she
said: "I don’t know. How much are you offering?"
But in spite of the lack of spontaneity, critic John Aizlewood was won
over by the end.
"The voice, oh the voice," he wrote.
"What an instrument of beauty and wonder it is, whether wrapping itself
around a grief-stricken ’You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’ ... or being
fabulously sultry on ’Unusual Way’. So was it worth it? Objectively? No.
As an experience? Priceless."
Barbra Leaves 'em Laughing
 July
23,
2007
"I go to Starbucks.
I mean, I have a Starbucks in my living room. Don't you all?"
It was her funniest Ask
Barbra segment yet. Last night's London audience got to enjoy the
very best of Barbra, the comedienne. By all accounts, the audience Q&A
was her most hilarious of the entire tour. Her sharp wit and
impeccable timing had audience members rolling in the aisles.
Courtesy of a generous
fan, you can watch the entire Ask Barbra segment over at
YouTube.
Spotted at The O2
July 18
British celebrities were out in
force for Barbra's opening night in London. Among the notables in
attendance were television diva Joan Collins and screen star Richard E.
Grant. Impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber was there, too, who surely took
delight in Barbra's rendition of his "Phantom" composition, "Music of the
Night."
July 22
It was a reunion of sorts for the
cast and collaborators of Barbra's 1996 film, "The Mirror Has Two Faces."
Barbra's special guests for her second of three London concerts included
Pierce Brosnan, whose character was the object of Barbra's unrequited love
in the film. Also in attendance was rocker Bryan Adams. He and Barbra got
together to record (and compose) the film's Oscar nominated theme song, "I
Finally Found Someone." Unfortunately, an impromptu Streisand-Adams duet
did not materialize. But Barbra did sing the song as scheduled with the
Broadway Boys. No doubt, fans who spotted these two "Mirror" icons were
dancing in the streets of Greenwich after the performance.
Also in attendance was British stage star Elaine Paige. Paige portrayed
the role of Norma Desmond in both the West End and Broadway versions of
Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Sunset Blvd."
July 25
The
stars continued to show up for Barbra.
David Frost, Meryl Streep, Michael Ball, John Lithgow and Ralph Feinnes
were each perched in their VIP seats for Barbra's final concert on British
soil.
When Barbra Streisand introduced David Frost during the concert, she
mentioned the interview they taped back in 1971. It was an hour-long show
during which Barbra performed "Didn't We" and "I Don't Know Where I
Stand." The show never aired due to Barbra's exclusive contract with
CBS. But that may finally change, according to a report in the UK
Telegraph:
A
cryptic announcement by Barbra Streisand at the end of her concert on
Wednesday night left her 20,000-strong audience at the O2 centre curious
to know more.
"Sir David Frost and I worked on something together in the Seventies
once," she said, addressing the TV presenter in his box. "I'd like to
see that air some day."
"Barbra was referring to an hour-long programme of music and chat that
she and David filmed years ago," says a spokesman for Frost.
"They got on really well and there was a lot of joking around but for
some reason it was never aired."
Will we ever get to see it? "Well, Sir David is very keen for it to be
aired now, so we'll see."
Out and About in The West End
 July 25,
2007
Even the hardest of
working girls need some time away from the office. And so it was Monday
night when Barbra sat on the other side of the footlights for a change,
attending a performance of the musical "Billy Elliot" in London's West
End. With a few scheduled days off between her London concert gigs, Barbra
chose to see one of the hottest shows in town, with music written by her
pal, Elton John. If you want to know Barbra's review of the show, you'll
have a chance to ask her during the Q&A segment of her final London
concert tonight. The show's young star was Barbra's guest at her closing
night. |
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