Lulu - New Theatre, Oxford, 22/9/20!9

  by Nick Dent-Robinson

published: 24 / 12 / 2019

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Nick Dent-Robinson watches Scottish entertainer Lulu play to a packed house in Oxford with remarkable energy in celebration of her 55-year career.

Lulu's current UK tour is called 'Lulu Still on Fire'. Judging by her stunning recent performance at a packed New Theatre in Oxford, this title is apt! The tour is a celebration of Lulu's 55-year career and a remarkable life as a rock performer, actress, songwriter and TV personality. It started back in 1964 when, at the age of 15, she was signed to Decca Records and promptly released her iconic song 'Shout' which was an immediate Top Ten hit. She kicked off her performance at Oxford with this powerful song. It was immediately apparent that the 70-year-old Lulu has not lost her powerful, crackly, unique voice! From the opening bars of that number, the Oxford audience knew they were in for a great show, from start to finish - and they weren't wrong! Lulu engaged well with the audience throughout - and she was supported by an excellent band. A big LED screen at the rear of the stage showed images of pivotal moments of her life over the past five or more decades, plus there were photos of the many people who had sung with her and helped or inspired her along the way. This gave more meaning to the songs she sang. The audience were reminded of Lulu's background in Scotland, her marriage to Bee Gee Maurice Gibb and her association with David Bowie (notably their 'The Man Who Sold The World' duet in 1974). Lulu sang a string of her biggest hits, including the dreaded 'Boom Bang a Bang' which won Lulu and the UK the Eurovision Song Contest in 1969, back in the days when the UK did actually sometimes win it! Lulu also sang the title song from the film 'To Sir With Love' which, as she reminded us, marked her debut as an actress. Plus, here was the James Bond film theme for 'The Man With The Golden Gun' as well as 'Relight My Fire' (which Lulu originally recorded with 'Take That') and finally, 'I'm Still Standing.' Predictably, this had the whole audience on its feet dancing. I was amused to see Graham Norton leaping around, enjoying the whole show from his place in the front stalls! The whole atmosphere in the theatre was buzzing! Lulu may have been doing this for 55 years but her energy is remarkable. And there's every reason to believe she'll be giving great performances for many more years in the future! Photos by Andrew Twambley www.twambley.com

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