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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,
David Smyth's rating
Reader rating
Description: The top-selling pop singer performs songs from her album Circus.
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, Pub, Air Conditioning
Caged: in a writhing dance in a show that relied more on spectacle than live music
Caged: Britney behind bars
Michael Jackson isn’t the only singer we should be surprised to see at the O2 this summer.
Britney Spears has risen from a shocking descent of her own to arrive in London for her first concerts in five years.
Her Circus Tour has already passed through America for two months without incident, before pitching its tent here for eight nights.
The head-shaving, crotch-flashing, umbrella-assaulting and husband-divorcing of the world’s most public breakdown have been so microscopically detailed that the first reaction upon hearing she was to confront the crowds again was to feel embarrassed for her.
She’s still going, still showing her face? I’d change my name, move to Bolivia.
But then she floated from the ceiling in a shiny red ringmaster’s costume, looking nerveless and brandishing a whip, and we finally remembered that this is what she does.
Over the next 90 minutes she spun and dangled, writhed and stamped but probably didn’t sing in a frantically entertaining set that abandoned any pretence at musicality in favour of pure spectacle. Performing in the round with no band on stage, the music came from a backing tape. There was no reason to believe her vocals didn’t too.
It left her free to move her barely clad body, ably keeping up with a dozen dancers plus acrobats and clowns. She prowled around a cage during Piece Of Me, its self-referential lyrics depicting life as a tabloid target.
She was transported on trolleys and tricycles, dancing inside a giant picture frame during Breathe On Me, occupying a hot air balloon basket above a circle of fire during I’m A Slave 4 U.
She was a policewoman in hotpants, a disappearing magician’s assistant and a stripper in silver bra and knickers, complete with nipple tassles and large purple bow on her behind.
Hits such as Womanizer, Toxic and a modernised Baby One More Time were well suited to such an extravaganza – all surface, but how they shone.
Her face was never seen in video close-up. It was hard to tell whether this was pop’s ultimate Barbie back to her best or whether she’s now a shellshocked war veteran, still smiling but with a blown fuse behind each eye.
The show concealed her as much as possible behind stunts, explosions and magic tricks, searing lights and computerised vocals.
She might be the ringmaster of this dazzling circus, but with her grim recent past impossible to disregard, she could just as easily be its bearded lady.
Until 14 June. O2 Arena, SE10 (0871 984 0002). www.the02.co.uk.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
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I myself was at the tour on Saturday night and although I had awful seats I enjoyed it immensly. The set up, the show itself and actually seeing the one and only Britney Spears was a pleasure. It was obvious that a lot of hard work and effort had been put into the show and it al paid off. In relation to comments about her outfits??? Its a part of her style and what singers today wear jeans and shirts and dont show any flesh? None. I would like to see these people that complain about her show get up and stage and do better. Good luck
- Anon., Co.Tyrone, N.Ireland
i would like to say as a 15 yearold. i was amazed that she even came back after everything that she has been through, you have to give her credit for coming back. She has been through so much for a women of her age and anyone else in those shoes, would have it the ground much, much more harder. she has lost the custody of her kids and im pretty sure that would have CRUSHED her. And any other mother. And fair enough she only sang one song live, But the backing track i believed she sang "live" but had no touch ups. and she did have a band might i add. NOTE. the advertisement didn't say Britney "live" in concert. but im writing because i travelled down the country to see her and in my opinion (and i have been to a few concerts that was probably the most elaborate and well thought out show. I have admired Britney for all of my life , but now i have more as i know i wouldn't have the strength to come back and try to retain normal life for such a world re-known star. and you did give her a rather harsh review which i totally agrue against, you seemed to dwell on her past and im sure she would rather have people forget that time in her life.
- Katie Wheeler, Dundee, SCOTLAND
this is the first concert i have been to & i thought she was exellent, a huge difference to the preformance she gave on xfactor. well done britney xx
- Gillian H, tyne and wear
Despite never having attended a concert in all my 19 years, I was very disappointed, as were my friends, one of whom had previously attended two Britney concerts. We knew she was going to mime but the rest of the show was less than desirable. When she was lowered from the ceiling dressed as a ringmaster I was admittedly full of hope for the night ahead, but already at the end of her first song I was feeling somewhat deflated! I was sat four rows from the back of the 02 arena, however I still had a perfect full view of the stages. Unfortunately, I believe that no matter where Id have sat or stood, I still wouldnt have been impressed. There was no big screen to see her in all her sequined glory, although I actually had a pretty good view of her through the digital camera screen of the woman sat in front. I was pleased the almighty stereo system pumped out songs from her Blackout album, but the older tracks she "performed" werent all big, well known hits. For someone who has worked hard to get into shape for the tour and who mimed all but one track, she didnt dance very hard, being pushed and pulled on wheeled platforms. There was alot of power walking from one ringed stage to the other with her dancers putting on the show. The Circus tour is a great concept but appearing in a belly dancers costume and then a police womans outfit for the encore was somewhat confusing.
- Jade Cole, Bristol, England
From the video shown on TV she even failed to sync with the music.
- Gary, Brentwood 1
"I would like to see you dance around and sing for 2 hours! "
Kylie does it for 2 1/2 hours and sings everything live as do many many other performers.
(Oh and Britney's show lasted 90 minutes not two hours !)
- Lee W, London
So, it is just a dance show with some lip syncing, squeezing that last few pence out of her fan base. Then again, I suppose she needs beer money for the summer, just like the rest of us.
- John, London
Give the girl a break, she did well. We thought she came to put on a show and that is what we got. She didn't just stand and sing, it was a complete show. So she only sang one song, but I would like to see you dance around and sing for 2 hours!
- Emma, London
It looks like Britney is getting it together again, doing what she does best and working on her act. When she's on top form she gives the best performance you could wish for, and it's great entertainment.
- Kate, London
