Afternoon:
15°c
Commuters on the London Undergound face pre-Christmas disruption after engineering and electrical workers voted for industrial action in a row over pay
More...
New Moon is nothing if not an international advertisement for the hungry virtues of virginity and young people can’t get enough of it
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Theatre
A smart, prickly and rewarding view of sexual and emotional confusion
Cock
Restaurants
Kitchen W8 is a bargain for this area, if such sophistication is what you crave
Kitchen W8
Too long and drawn out but very entertaining with excellent special effects
This is a peculiar play and does not work for me. Some of it is very funny but there are real flaws
Alex has a strong powerful voice and was faultless, she is far better now than she was on the X-Factor
London,
Chris Elwell-Sutton's rating
Reader rating
Description: Grandiose keyboard rocking from the pop veteran.
Phone: 0871220 0260
Website: www.the02.co.uk
Trains: Tube: North Greenwich, BR: Westcombe Park Railway Station 
Vegas showman: Elton John took the audience on a two-hour journey of his catalogue of hits
Gimmicks galore: Elton John was wearing a typically outrageous brightly-coloured tailcoat
Perhaps it's because he's competing in Las Vegas with saucy showgirls. Either that or Elton John has an enthusiasm for female breasts that's highly unusual in a gay man. Whatever the reason, at the spectacular UK debut of his renowned Red Piano show, his music was frequently accompanied by some very sexy visuals.
Featuring an array of sumptuous sets and bespoke videos, all created by photographer David LaChapelle, the Red Piano show started in 2005 at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, its huge popularity leading swiftly to a five-year contract there. The throng who packed the O2 dome was clearly eager for a piece of the action, and they weren't to be disappointed.
By his standards, it was a low-key opening. Clad in a typically outrageous brightly-coloured tailcoat, Sir Elton, who was knighted in 1998 for his charitable work, sat down at his piano and launched into Bennie And The Jets in a businesslike manner. His voice sounded a little strained at first, but it wasn't long before the star was firing on all cylinders. He sang the raunchy Philadelphia Freedom with obvious relish as kitsch, pornographic images of naked girls dancing flashed on the giant screen above him. The crowd loved the sentimental ballad, Believe, during which huge inflatable roses appeared around the stage.
But no stage set could upstage Sir Elton during his full-bodied rendition of I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues, a potent reminder of the simple brilliance of his songwriting.
As the unmistakeably sombre opening phrase of Candle In The Wind rang out of his oversized red Yamaha piano, it was impossible not to think of his extraordinary contribution to the funeral service of Diana, Princess of Wales. For an awful moment, I wondered whether he might reprise this version at the end, bearing in mind the recent 10-year anniversary of her death. But to his credit, Sir Elton avoided cashing in on his friendship with the late princess, playing the song straight, as a topless Monroe lookalike cavorted around on the screen.
The culmination of Sir Elton's two-hour journey through his plethora of hits was Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting, during which the audience were treated to the spectacle of huge inflatable bananas with rather phallic overtones.
Your Song was a good choice of encore, its lyrics representing a break from the egomania that is so often thought to characterise his work. Throughout the show, his band were as slick and professional as you might expect, but unlike many artists of his vintage, Sir Elton never hid behind them to catch his breath, avoid difficult notes, or duck out of tricky piano passages. The raw emotional quality of his voice and his technical musicianship were absolutely intact.
Any artist can spice up their show with tits, bums and inflatable fruit. What was remarkable about Elton John is that even if he had performed with nothing but a piano, he'd still have proved himself as an all-time great.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
EJ played and sang great - but the video clips were bizarre to say the least and not fit for a family audience or a NYE celebration. EJ had absolutley zero bon-hommie - it could have been any night of the year. All in all the Take That NYE celebration last year was much much better.
- Colin Grannell, London, England
What a damp squid of a show... The set was not the spectacle advertised - Too many gaps at crucial times - and the count down to 2209 was pathetic. The guests were very good, but only sang one song. The best act - was the warm up - who were excellent - but no one got to know their name .
Wish we had stayed at home and watched the BBC welcome in New Year .
One good thing - It can only get better !
- Holger Schell, London UK
I have just seen Elton John at the M.E.N arena(27th time!)with My Sister and was lucky to be on row 8 at the Front. The show was spectacular, I played pinball with the large ballooons(pinball wizard) and even managed to take one home!!
At the core of Elton, is a magnificant pianist, who sings everything heartfelt, unlike the manufactutred bands of today.
I have followed him since I was 13 years old: Genius. Carry on as long as you can Elt, you'll always fill the arena.
Love, Janet, Preston XX
- Janet Lois Speariett, Preston Lancs
Seen Sir Elton at the MEN in Manchester tonight. Seen him many times before (the first in 1974). An amazing performance. His voice a little strained to start with, but wow did he make up for it! Had the privilege of accompanying him on stage whilst he was singin Saturday Night's Alright.......still pinching myself. If anyone gets the chance to see him.....it's a must!
- Jan,, Blackburn. UK
Went with my partner, and before the concert neither of us would have classed ourselves as 'Elton fans'. Well, we are now! We both absolutely loved this show!!
Elton's been around for so long, it's easy to forget exactly how good he is. It's also easy to take for granted exactly what an accomplished musician and songwriter he is. The true definition of an artist.
If you get the chance to see one of Britain's best at his best, then do whatever you can to get tickets to this show.
- Liz, London UK
One of the best concerts I've ever been to, made you want to go back again and again just to have more and more fun!
- Barney, Oxford
As always Elton put on a great show. His voice was strong, his piano play excellent and his band marvellous. My only complaint was with the audience; at least the ones who would not stay in their seats! I had an aisle seat and there was not a single moment throughout the concert when my view was disrupted by someone getting up to go to the loo or buy more drinks and food; often the same people several times. The bars and food stalls in the arena should be closed during concerts to prevent this. If people want to eat and drink rather than watch the concert then they should go the bars and clubs outside the arena.
- Paula, Bristol
Elton oozes talent - a crowd pleasing performance but not sure about the stage show - it might be big but wasn't very clever.
- Amanda, Bedford, UK
It was a fantastic performance! Mind blowing.
- Mayur, London
