Stars in his eyes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference."I love your eyes, your cheeks, your hair/They're in a class beyond compare." Thus sang Barbra Streisand on her winningly entitled Color Me Barbra album and TV special. Yet there is a comparison to be made and it comes in the form of Jim Bailey, an operatic tenor turned international illusionist who takes on the persona of the indulgently manicured showbiz queen herself. Anyone allergic to two-bit, down-at-heel drag need have no worries. Forget lip-synching, Bailey performs live, faithfully reproducing all the trademark physical and vocal mannerisms. He has starred at the Palladium, sung as Streisand by invitation of the lady herself and, in another of his astonishing characterisations, sung as Judy Garland alongside her daughter Liza Minnelli in a recreation of their fabled concert together. He spent time with Garland at her home in LA honing and fine-tuning his act. There are recordings of her onstage in her TV series, but few can remember Judy playing the Talk of the Town, now, alas, more seedily reincarnated as Leicester Square's Hippodrome. If you want to discover what she was like or you couldn't stump up the readies for la Streisand's Wembley dates, grab the phone and book yourself a table at the Cafe Royal. Even hardened cynics have been won over.
DAVID BENEDICT
Jim Bailey plays The Green Room at the Cafe Royal, 68 Regent St, London W1 (0171-437 9090) from 27 Jun-15 Jul; pounds 20 (pounds 48 with dinner)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments