Afternoon:
14°c
Ministry of Defence spent £149 million on an "urgent" upgrade to 900 tanks that are now only being used in training exercises, it was revealed
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,
André Paine's rating
Reader rating
Phone: 0207589 8212
Website: www.royalalberthall.com
Trains: Tube: High Street Kensington 
, Tube / Bus: 9, 10, 52, 360 
Extra info: Food, Pub
He hoped to adopt a 14-month-old Ukrainian boy this month but was rebuffed by the authorities, so the ever-charitable Sir Elton John had to make do with a fundraiser for a big organ.
At least this was a cause “so close to my heart”: the 62-year-old is a former pupil of the Royal Academy of Music and ticket sales will fund part of its £1.2 million bill for a new instrument weighing in at 14 tons with 2,921 pipes. “I’d never thought I’d be doing a concert to buy a new organ,” said a straight-faced Sir Elton.
He didn’t stint in his efforts for his alma mater, though, knocking out more than 30 songs in three hours, beginning with a solo set featuring rarely performed material.
The piano playing was powerful while the vocal reached Masterchef levels of in-your-face vigour during The One, Sixty Years On and Border Song. Some of the tunes probably remain obscure for good reasons, although the bolted-on synth textures didn't help — and they almost ruined the classic Tiny Dancer. Sir Elton was too busy enjoying this relatively intimate show to contemplate failure, often raising his hands in celebration, and could have departed triumphant after a robust, heartfelt Rocket Man. But that merely signalled the second-half reunion with percussionist Ray Cooper.
Their first collaboration since the mid-Nineties certainly wasn't a nuanced performance. Yet there was pleasure to be had watching bass drums, congas and cymbals getting whacked during Saturday Night's All Right For Fighting.
It added up to an entertaining and sometimes over-the-top show from the indomitable Sir Elton, who even signed autographs after his marathon set.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
It was an amazing performance. The best i've ever been to! Set list was amazing.
- Clive, England
The performance was recorded (Video) so I suspect there will be a future DVD. If last night's performance was anything to go by I suspect any profits made will go to raise funds for a new organ for the Royal Academy of Music Organ Appeal. The DVD will be worth it just to see Ray Cooper's performance on percussion. Shame he wasn't on stage with Elton for the whole performance
- Roger Goodgroves, Farnborough
I would love to meet him. He is absolutely my favorite singer/songwriter.
- Critch, Missouri, USA
Does anyone know if ther will be a CD of this show it sounds too good to miss ??
- John.W, east kent
