Morning:
13°c
London faces a wave of bus and Tube strikes that could cause chaos for millions of passengers as unions walkout over pay and conditions
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
Phone: 020 7589 3203
Website: www.trbc.co.uk
Still ill? Morrissey started the show with a croaky voice, but it grew stronger as he went on
“Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy ride,” chuckled Morrissey at the start of last night’s show.
At that point the hope was that the ride wouldn’t prove as bumpy as his previous gig in Swindon on Saturday, where, after the opening This Charming Man, he toppled over, was dragged off stage and, suffering from “breathing difficulties”, spent the night sampling the culinary delights offered by the Great Western Hospital.
Although the ride turned out to be smooth, clearly not all was entirely well with Morrissey’s body, if his throat-clutching and between-song squatting were any yardstick. Then again, while his voice was initially so croaky that he might as well have taken up frog breeding, it grew stronger with each song.
Even so, Morrissey’s maladies are in danger of usurping his melodies and this concert, re-scheduled from May when he fell ill, was a brief affair, lasting just an hour, plus a scanty but blistering encore of First Of The Gang To Die.
Illnesses notwithstanding, these are not the best of times for Morrissey. His records are not selling as they were (new B-sides album Swords was plugged as “another one you won’t buy”) and last night’s audience seemed less fervid than might be expected, something which did not go unnoticed as he muttered “hmm, that bad was it?” after a muted response to the Smiths obscurity Because Of My Poor Education.
Yet, without even acknowledging anyone beyond the front rows, Morrissey still connected and when he shed his shirt after I’m OK By Myself he revealed a surprisingly taut torso. Naturally, there was wit (“Thank you Sweden!” he trilled mischievously) and nonsense (wondering why no celebrity chefs are vegetarians), while the paradox of a man singing about being unloved while bathing in an ocean of love remained compelling.
And for all those “breathing difficulties”, as they toiled beneath a backdrop of actor Walter Chiari, Morrissey and a band including former Red Hot Chili Pepper Jesse Tobias, scarcely paused for air. They added oomph to such Smiths favourites as How Soon Is Now and less-heralded cast-offs, notably the newly baroque When I Last Spoke To Carol, were given swaggering makeovers. There’s life here yet.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
I was at this gig and after the trauma of the previous 3 days I think his performance was very good. Inparticular "Nowhere Fast" that was fanstastic.
The gigs at RAH always seem to attract a less active crowd, but I saw him at Brixton earlier in the year and that was amazing , also going to see him next week at the Ally Pally. Can't wait!!
He did not say thank you Sweden, It was Swindon, Also the gig was shorter then usual but it was an hour and a half.
Great night!!
- Debbie, Eltham, London
He didn't say "Thank you Sweden", he said "Thank you Swindon" obviously joking about his "collapse" there two days before! He said that after laying on the floor for a while during the last notes of "How soon is now".
I loved the gig, audience was more quiet than normal, true, but he was on very good form and his voice was great, specially under the circumstances! Had low expectations and left RAH smiling and really happy he didn't cancel! Lovely show!
- Mar, London
I thought last nights show (Tuesday) at "The Royal Albert Hall" started off very well and I expected the rest of the evening to be just as good but it seemed to lack something the longer it went on but couldn't put my finger on what exactly. Morrissey certainly wasn't at his best last night no doubt due to health worries and I got the impression he was uncomfortable for most of the time during the set and was only going through the motions to promote his new album. He failed to connect with his audience except for a few in the front row but the rest of us were left feeling slightly cheated. The highlight of the evening for me was "How Soon Is Now" but I came away from the concert feeling somewhat let down.
- Paul, Rushden, England
I think Morrissey should have had a rest for a bit, he clearly needed some more time off. But Morrissey is a fighter and he'll do anything to please his fans (except to reunite The Smiths). I don't think he'll ever be the same Morrissey from The Smiths, but he still manages to sing his solo stuff great and doesn't let down his Moz solo fans. He's recently brought back "Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others" (only played live once by The Smiths in Brixton 1987) and brought back "You Just Haven't Earned It Yet, Baby" (which was never even performed live by The Smiths)....So Morrissey still has some tricks up his sleeve!
- Davie, North Wales
I was there last night and the crowd was a bit quiet compared to normal but that's party due to the venue and its non-rock acoustics.
I saw Morrissey in Brixton a few months ago and he and the crowd were much more up for it.
Touring his collection of average B-sides doesn't help but the Smiths songs were excellent, particularly Is It Really So Strange.
- Simon, London, N5
