Afternoon:
14°c
NEW: Boris Johnson's disgraced former deputy mayor is trying to sell the story of his downfall to the highest bidder
More...
An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
John Aizlewood's rating
Reader rating
Description: The top-selling vocalist with hits and tracks from her latest album, Taking Chances.
Phone: 0871220 0260
Website: www.theo2.co.uk
Email: customerservices@theo2.co.uk
Trains: Tube: North Greenwich, BR: Westcombe Park Railway Station 
, Tube / Bus: 108, 129, 161, 188, 422, 472, 486 
Extra info: Telephones, Food, Air Conditioning, Pub
Full voice: Celine Dion was poised and powerful in an almost perfect entwining of singer and song
Some divas are born. Others, you suspect, have divadom thrust upon them. Despite selling almost 200 million albums, Celine Dion is probably in the latter camp.
In her first London show since 1999, the 40-year-old worked too hard, sweated too much and spent too long on stage to be a genuine diva. And while she did announce that her son Rene-Charles and her mother Therese had joined her in the capital, she had the grace not to parade them to the crowd.
Christened the Taking Chances tour, perhaps in irony, this gaudy, loose-limbed spectacular took very few chances. There were costume changes: five in all (the flared trousers were shockingly unflattering; the gigantic white cape endearingly bonkers and the rest oddly alluring).
There were eight wonderfully choreographed dancers, lighting that could illuminate Neptune and, as if we had chanced upon the set of a misguided Seventies peek into the future, moving walkways.
Those peripherals made the evening, but the show itself was about Dion’s voice. Edith Piaf offered the same conundrum 60 years ago, but it seemed almost a miracle of nature that someone so tiny of waist could produce vocals of such extraordinary power.
Yet whether wrapping itself around James Brown’s It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World, rescuing The Power Of Love from karaoke hell or somehow breathing life into River Deep Mountain High, that voice reinvented whatever it touched. And so poised and believable was her assault on the closing My Heart Will Go On (alas nobody in the crowd remembered to do the Titanic pose), that for a moment you almost forgot what a ghastly slab of hammy old schlock it is.
Indeed, while she remains overly addicted to jobbing American songwriting hacks such as Dianne Warren and Linda Perry for her material, when she unfurled a great song everything made sense.
On the genius Jim Steinman’s It’s All Coming Back To Me Now or that painfully unflinching dissection of a decaying long-term relationship, Think Twice, the drama and too-often suppressed darkness of Dion’s voice made for an almost perfect entwining of singer and song.
As if to confirm that she will never be credible, an ill-conceived medley of Queen’s We Will Rock You and The Show Must Go On was unspeakably naff, but frankly who cares? Certainly not Celine Dion, the anti-diva diva.
Celine Dion also plays the O2 Arena tomorrow (0844 856 0202)
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
I ve been to loads of concerts, I saw Celine Dion at NIA Birmingham sat 10th may and she was brilliant the whole show was fantastic, cant wait for her next uk tour.
- Christine, birmingham, uk
Mark is right! The show is about Celine's voice! And her voice is magnificent. She's someone 2 see before you die.
- Amada, London
This was a truly spectacular show by Celine Dion. Having been to many previous concerts by Celine this has to be her best performance ever, a true mix of her greatest hits and also some new songs to make a perfectly balanced show. Celine gave 110% effort and produced over 2 hours of fantastic entertainment. Never listen to a critic take the advice of a fan, if you get the chance to see Celine live then grab the opportunity with both hands,you won't regret it.
- Mark Nugent, Stevenage, UK
The best concert I have ever been to, Celine was a powerhouse of energy and her voice is just magical. If only I had tickets for more of concerts. Celine is the best!
- Susan Lighthouse, London
Her rendition of All By Myself sent shivers down my spine and had the audience on their feet. Would have preferred more power ballads -- that's what Celine is made for -- and fewer 1970s soul/funk covers.
- Hugh, London UK
You waste of Space, you obviously went to the wrong concert! Céline was on top form as she always is. A true professional, amazing singer, performer and person. If you are reading this and considering going to one of her future concerts- just go- you will not regret one second and completely disregard this pathetic excuse for a review!
- Jon King, Worthing, UK
We went to see Celine on the 6th & I have to say she was absolutely fantastic. People reading these reviews don't listen to the crap some of the journo's have to say about her, they are clearly not her best fans! We have waited years to see her & it was absolutly worth the wait & price of the tickets! We flew down to see her & don't regret a thing. She looked beautiful & her voice sounded amazing. My Love was our fav part as she seemed so emotional almost crying at one point. I don't care what other people say, we had a fantastic time & would do it all over again in a second! Well Done Celine!
- Cheryl Mcdonald, Newcastle, UK
I was on the bus and saw someone looking at the paper which featured an article on Celine's show on the 6th at the O2. I am going to see her today (8th) at the O2 and am extremely looking forward to it. Although the tickets are pricey, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to see my favourite singer of all-time.
- Denise, London, UK
I went to see Celine last night and it was absolutely fantastic, she is a phenomenal woman with a sensational voice. Everyone that I spoke to enjoyed themselves. If you were at the concert and heard the applause and screams you would know that the fans really enjoyed themselves. I feel that your review was harsh and not the view of her true fans!
- Sarah Drake, Downham Market, UK
