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John Aizlewood's rating
Because I'm worth it
By
John Aizlewood
19 Jul 2007
The slow-handclapping started in the £600 seats. Not, of course at having been made to pay so much for what, after all, was a mere concert, or at the sheer greed which meant they were asked for an extra £25 for a shoddy programme. No, the slow-handclapping was because Barbra Streisand was late, albeit just half an hour late. They really should try waiting for Pete Doherty one very long evening ...
For a moment, though, it was as if Streisand - whose demands have even ruffled the Dorchester's usually unperturbable feathers - had a mutiny on her hands. Then, such is the magic of music and music sung by probably (if we forget Ella Fitzgerald) the 20th century's finest female voice, before she had finished caressing the first line of the opening Starting Here, Starting Now, everyone had forgiven her everything.
In pictures: Barbra Streisand at the O2 arena
From there, a necessarily well-heeled audience including A-listers Lord Lloyd-Webber and Joan Collins, plus Richard E. Grant, Vanessa Feltz and Victoria Beckham's parents, were hers to do as she pleased with. And who could possibly expect or desire the divas' diva to start behaving like a mere mortal?
In truth, there was more to forgive, not least a succession of tent dresses Streisand had apparently designed with Donna Karan, but which looked like something she had exchanged for a few Barbara Taylor Bradford paperbacks at her local thrift store. A shame, since when the acres of fabric billowed appropriately, they revealed the 65-year-old still has a pair of finely turned ankles.
More troubling were the constant interruptions from what appeared to be a Matalan version of the Four Tenors. Their unbearably stilted dialogue and local-rep-style bumbling briefly launched Streisand into cruiseship waters, although even their clodhopping failed to ruin a triumphant Somewhere. When Streisand left them alone to struggle through You'll Never Walk Alone, the stampede to the sanctuary of the bars almost drowned them out.
And what a truly remarkable coincidence it was that Streisand's brief question-and answer session (allegedly ticket holders were invited to write questions as they went in; nobody asked me) yielded exactly the same obscure question and snappy answer about her playing prostitutes on film as it did in Manchester a few days ago.
Still, this was relatively small beer in a champagne evening. For all the appearance Streisand can give of singing being a mere adjunct to her acting, she has sold more records than any other woman. And the voice, oh the voice. What an instrument of beauty and wonder it is, whether wrapping itself around a grief-stricken You Don't Bring Me Flowers, slipping into French during Ma Premiere Chanson or being fabulously sultry on Unusual Way.
And when she hummed the first bars of The Way We Were, I had a genuine attack of goose-bumps.
So was it worth it? Objectively? No. As an experience? Priceless.
• Barbra Streisand plays O2 Arena 22 and 25 July. 0870 534 4444.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (16)
I booked to see her in Nice, no one informed me she had cancelled, I still have no money back from the theatre there. So as an ardent Barbra fan I went to see her in Dublin, in a muddy field in the rain. It was exremely badly organised but hey, I have seen the best but this was a one not to be missed. If I never see anyone again in concert I don't care, she was fabulous. The pure stage aura and her pitch perfect voice means if she never sings here again, I will go to USA if need be. Lets hope this was not her farewell. Money well spent.
- Julia Marsh-Pitt, Chester-le-Street UK, 28/07/2007 13:14
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I've been to Paris and to London this weekend. I loved every moment of it. And you could fill out a question form to 'ask Barbra', you probably didn't look around you in the O2 stadium.
Prices, yes they were high but wasn't it worth it? I think so.
- Heidy, Netherlands, 25/07/2007 15:23
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As an ardent Streisand fan I raved about her appearance in 1994 and couldn't wait to see her again at the dome, was her voice as good as ever, yes, was it value for money no, the show started late I couldn't believe that she then left the stage to the 4 tenors who sang 3 songs, we paid over the top prices to see and hear her alone for this type of ticket price she should have given her all from start to finish, also compared to her appearance at Wembley arena I felt that very little thought had gone into the stage set and as for her gowns they were dull & unflattering, I was left with the impression that it was a case of this is my last tour my fans adore me come what may I'll take the money and run, I still love her voice and think she is the greatest but you can only push loyalty so far
- Sandra, Thurrock, Essex., 25/07/2007 01:00
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WOW ... did we enjoy the show .... yes we did .... was it worth every penny ... yes it was. Pappa can you hear me and Somewhere reduced me to tears, Barbra has definitely not lost her touch. We saw her in 1994 and never thought we would see her again, please come back again soon Barbra.
- Chris And Clive Griffiths,, Midsomer Norton, Bath, 24/07/2007 23:21
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A fantastic show totally amazing I never thought I would see her live (as I was on 6 when she last came to the UK) iv loved her since I first saw Funny Girl with my dad it has become my favourite film. I never thought id get the chance to see her live. When I found out she was coming to the London I knew I had to have a ticket whatever it cost and I did I paid £200 for my ticket and she was worth every penny this was truly a once in a lifetime experience she is a legend I cried when she sang People what an amazing voice and she sang Don't rain on my parade with such attitude there is only one person who can sing that song, I will never forget it.
- Ange, UK, 24/07/2007 23:19
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The three very bitter nasty comments above mean NOTHING to anyone who paid between £100 and £600 for a ticket. We know what we're getting and none of us are complaining. Far too many people are complaining about the prices but they're the ones who don't want to see her anyway!
- Scotty, London, 19/07/2007 18:48
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The only way I would go see Barbara Streisand perform is if I were bound and gagged and taken against my will.
- Richard Cowart, Dubuque, Iowa USA, 19/07/2007 17:51
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One has got to be a fool to pay 600 pounds for the aging Streisand to belt out her tunes and attitude.
- Bill Flanders, Nottingham, England, 19/07/2007 17:45
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Just an old hag with her greedy hands on your wallet...
- Bruce, Italy & USA, 19/07/2007 17:45
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She is just an arrogant, egotistical bimbo who is drowning in her own self inportance.
- Tony Gasperi, London, England, 19/07/2007 17:43
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She is an absolute legend and the voice was is as amazing as ever, but I think the majority around me were disappointed that she chose a number of obscure tracks from very early albums rather than sing the songs she is most famous for.
- Birol Mehmet, London, England, 19/07/2007 13:58
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What an evening, this was the first time I have seen Ms Streisand in concert, A Diva certainly, Her voice perhaps not as strong as it once was BUT what a stage presence... she could have sung the alphabet and the audience would have been spellbound.
She is not the female Sinatra she is THE BARBRA STREISAND.
Give me more please.
- Trevor Steeles, Farnham Surrey, 19/07/2007 13:05
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The greatest.
No one can take away the fact that this woman can sing. I saw her the last time she came here and things have not changed. I love her voice and her showmanship. So we waited 30 mins but it was well worth it.
I would have waited 30 hours just to here that voice. No back backing tapes at this venue! Bravo. I think it will be a very, very long time before any one else comes even close to matching a voice like her.
- Jo Marriott, London, 19/07/2007 12:16
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The ambience was superb, the setting ripe for a superstar and sitting 5 rows from the stage I was waiting to be enthralled again (circa concerts 1994).
To see her again, live, was a priceless opportunity and worth every penny.
The hairs on my neck rose when she sang ‘Somewhere’ and ‘People’. A number of people had tears in their eyes when she belted out songs from Funny Girl and the dedication at the end to her husband whose birthday coincided with the day.
The 4 tenors who accompanied her were typical American glitz whilst she did her customary costume change. The fact that there was an exodus to the toilets or the refreshment stalls was telling when they were left alone on stage.
I went hoping for a repeat of 1994 when I couldn’t wait to buy more tickets for another show. Her repertoire of songs I felt was not audience friendly and catered for her ‘mature following’ and I have followed her since the mid 70s and still felt let down by the song choice.
To be honest, if she just sat there and played scrabble on stage, the audience would still have gone wild. I left a little dejected.
Will I see her again this time around? No
Was she worth the money? Yes
She is still a true legend
- Daren Reisman, Loughton, Essex, 19/07/2007 12:03
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Worth every penny.
Last night I went to see the ultimate Diva – Barbra Streisand. She sounded fantastic, was entertaining and put on an amazing show. Despite the high-ticket price, she was worth every penny. Truly a once in a lifetime experience to see a legend.
The 'ask barbra section' wasn’t staged as suggested in the press as I filled out a card on entering the arena - and even had my question read out!
- Daniel, London, UK, 19/07/2007 10:48
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What a fantastic show. I’ve been a fan since I saw the film of Funny Girl in 1969 after which I immediately bought the soundtrack album. It was lovely to hear the overture from the film again and to hear some of the older songs like 'What are you doing the rest of your life?'
- Gill Parker, Westcliff-on-Sea, England, 19/07/2007 10:46
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