John Barrowman, Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
Star Rating:*****
There are people who are merely multi-talented, and then there's John Barrowman. Prowling the stage like a sultry panther procured from the depths of Hades, he need only expend the energy to extend one leg outwards - during the show's opening song It Better Be Tonight - to wheedle wild whoops from
an expectant audience. When he then turns his back to them to wobble an entire toned buttock a few seconds later, the consummate showman has already ensured most of the crowd have had their money's worth.
Honed from a lifetime in musicals (and later television exploits), a sharp and sparkling Barrowman - resplendent in tight grey suit - brings the sort of schmaltzy bravado that immediately enraptures those who have come to see his first solo tour. His remarkable rendition of Cyndi Lauper's Time After Time is an early showstopper, the delicate interpretation preceded by an emotional monologue about a Louisiana friend having to come out to his family while also letting them know he was HIV positive.
And despite Barrowman's bubbly nature - obviously emotional, he straight away sniffles into an audience member's tissue and tells them they can make £600
on eBay for it - it turns out to be a night filled with teary-eyed moments.
Dispensing at times with his usual American accent, the song-and-dance man's back in the town of his birth - where he lived until an early age - and reverts at times to a seamless Scottish accent. He even has his own family in attendance. In a heartbreakingly sweet moment, he takes his 73-year-old mother on stage to sing a duet for The Wedding, to an emotion-filled reception. As one avid fan notes: "JB is as JB does," and, for one glorious night, it seems that Barrowman can do what he wants with most of Glasgow cheering him on.
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Posted by: Mark, Alba on 1:50am Fri 11 Apr 08
Well, at least this made me laugh - sort of. Five stars! Well, it must be good.
It reads like a gay fantasy!
[quote]Prowling the stage like a sultry panther procured from the depths of Hades, he need only expend the energy to extend one leg outwards...[/quote]
Well, I knew Barrowman was a handsome lad with very nice teeth but
I nver imagined him with his leg cocked!
At least it worked for you Michael. Steady tiger! Or should that be panther!! GGGRRRR!!
Well, at least this made me laugh - sort of. Five stars! Well, it must be good.
It reads like a gay fantasy!
Prowling the stage like a sultry panther procured from the depths of Hades, he need only expend the energy to extend one leg outwards...
Well, I knew Barrowman was a handsome lad with very nice teeth but
I nver imagined him with his leg cocked!
At least it worked for you Michael. Steady tiger! Or should that be panther!! GGGRRRR!!
Posted by: Mark, Alba on 2:16am Fri 11 Apr 08
Hmm. Just realised that Barrowman singing Ave Maria sounds pretty unusual. Are you sure?
Every reference to a Barrowman performance is to him singing Maria from West Side Story - or even Maria from Sound of Music, both of which, in case it was lost on the reviewer, are [bold]very[/bold] different to what has been printed here.
Either Barrowman was going far out of his mainstream performance or The Herald pays arts reviewers who don't know Schubert from Bernstein.
Let's get this cleared up, shall we? Anyone know?
Hmm. Just realised that Barrowman singing Ave Maria sounds pretty unusual. Are you sure?
Every reference to a Barrowman performance is to him singing Maria from West Side Story - or even Maria from Sound of Music, both of which, in case it was lost on the reviewer, are
very different to what has been printed here.
Either Barrowman was going far out of his mainstream performance or The Herald pays arts reviewers who don't know Schubert from Bernstein.
Let's get this cleared up, shall we? Anyone know?
Posted by: xblondexpinkx, Glasgow on 8:46am Fri 11 Apr 08
Yup he sang Ave Maria with his mum it is a song his mum has sang at family weddings including his own civil partnership and it has always been her dream to sing in front of an audience so he surprised her by bringin her on stage. She was so adorable!! It was an unbelievably fantastic night. That man has a mighty fine behind and he sure knows it spend the whole night wiggling it about
Yup he sang Ave Maria with his mum it is a song his mum has sang at family weddings including his own civil partnership and it has always been her dream to sing in front of an audience so he surprised her by bringin her on stage. She was so adorable!! It was an unbelievably fantastic night. That man has a mighty fine behind and he sure knows it spend the whole night wiggling it about
Posted by: macshadow, Glasgow on 9:31am Fri 11 Apr 08
No, it wasn't Ave Maria, it was The Wedding, a big hit for Julie Rogers in the early 60s.
No, it wasn't Ave Maria, it was The Wedding, a big hit for Julie Rogers in the early 60s.
Posted by: macshadow, Glasgow on 9:32am Fri 11 Apr 08
No, it wasn't Ave Maria, it was The Wedding, a big hit for Julie Rogers in the early 60s.
No, it wasn't Ave Maria, it was The Wedding, a big hit for Julie Rogers in the early 60s.
Posted by: Michael MacLennan, The Herald on 3:06pm Fri 11 Apr 08
Thanks for the correction, received some erroneous information, article duly updated!
Thanks for the correction, received some erroneous information, article duly updated!
Posted by: coranajade, Glasgow on 3:36pm Sat 12 Apr 08
I was there and aside from an embarressing issue with John Barrowmans mum and dad (The concert hall had over booked my mate and I's seats with his mum and dad!) it was amazing. A rollercoaster of emotions, I was crying and laughing. Aside from the lights it felt as though you where in a living room (all be it a large living room) with some mates having a party. It was touching that before the end John got a standing ovation and he was so moved he was in tears.
But I agree fully a 5 star act and a 5 star man!
I was there and aside from an embarressing issue with John Barrowmans mum and dad (The concert hall had over booked my mate and I's seats with his mum and dad!) it was amazing. A rollercoaster of emotions, I was crying and laughing. Aside from the lights it felt as though you where in a living room (all be it a large living room) with some mates having a party. It was touching that before the end John got a standing ovation and he was so moved he was in tears.
But I agree fully a 5 star act and a 5 star man!
Posted by: Mark, Alba on 12:39am Wed 16 Apr 08
[quote]Thanks for the correction, received some erroneous information, article duly updated![/quote]
Why was my comment - along with others - deleted?
I repeat - were you at the show or not? And I repeat - if you can't identify the Ave Maria from 50 paces, you have no place being an arts reviewer.
So what was the "erroneous information" - what was performed or the name of the song?
Moderating comments is one thing - censoring valid criticism is quite another. Who makes these decisions?
Thanks for the correction, received some erroneous information, article duly updated!
Why was my comment - along with others - deleted?
I repeat - were you at the show or not? And I repeat - if you can't identify the Ave Maria from 50 paces, you have no place being an arts reviewer.
So what was the "erroneous information" - what was performed or the name of the song?
Moderating comments is one thing - censoring valid criticism is quite another. Who makes these decisions?
Posted by: cookie0792, Manchester on 4:12pm Sun 20 Apr 08
I couldn't agree with this review more. I went to see John in Nottingham on the 9th April, and I am still dreaming about those amazingly toned bottom of his. His voice captured the audience and everyword portrayed an emtion. He had the crown laughing, crying, clapping, singing and even augh-ing at him. I wish he had done it sooner.
I couldn't agree with this review more. I went to see John in Nottingham on the 9th April, and I am still dreaming about those amazingly toned bottom of his. His voice captured the audience and everyword portrayed an emtion. He had the crown laughing, crying, clapping, singing and even augh-ing at him. I wish he had done it sooner.
