Britney Spears at the O2 - review

Perhaps it's no coincidence that sales for her Femme Fatale tour have been quiet too, with her eight O2 dates of 2009 slashed to just two
at the O2 and one at Wembley Arena.

Last night there were empty seats, but those expecting a confessional taking in breakdowns, restraining orders and shaven heads would have been disappointed. Instead, the aloof 29-year-old said little and looked as delighted to be at the O2 as Col Gaddafi was to be found in a drainage pipe.

Spears was always in control of a show light on hits but heavy on the recent Femme Fatale album and if she was a blank, the cheeky choreography had fun to spare, especially when, in a pyramid setting, the trailer park Cleopatra was wheeled on stage in what appeared to be a duck from a children's roundabout - a glimpse of Ancient Egypt, as run by Toys 'R' Us.

Somewhere among the lasers, plinths, gimp masks and cars was a plotline about a lollipopsucking stalker so disturbing that Spears had to wear a succession of skimpy outfits.

There were only two visible musicians who mostly fiddled with laptops and how much singing Spears did was unclear, but for all her numbness, the spectacle was gloriously daft, even before a man spun on his head during Big Fat Bass.

The sight of Spears perched 20 feet above the stage on a swing made everyone forget how dreary the ballad He About To Lose Me is, but (Drop Dead) Beautiful, 3 and Toxic were stompers.

Best and most daft came last with Till The World Ends, where Spears fought off Ninjas before rising heavenwards, strapped to a pair of angel wings. Way to go, girl.

Britney Spears plays the O2 Arena tonight and Wembley Arena Monday: 0844 844 0444

Britney Spears