Review: BARBRA & LIZA LIVE!, Charing Cross Theatre
If there’s one thing that can brighten up a chilly November evening, it’s a cabaret featuring two of the most iconic voices in entertainment history: Barbra Streisand and Liza Minnelli. Well, almost. Barbra & Liza Live! at Charing Cross Theatre delivers some of the glitz, glamour, and legendary hits you could want, with Steven Brinberg and Rick Skye bringing their impersonations to life in a show that’s as nostalgic as it is entertaining.
The success of this show lies largely in the hands of its two stars, and Steven Brinberg as Barbra Streisand brings a remarkable likeness, vocally and emotionally, to the stage. Whether serenading the audience with ‘The Way We Were’ or delivering the powerful notes of ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’, Brinberg’s Streisand captures a lot of the diva’s essence, although the character just shies away from full-on diva, which would have been a fun touch.
Opposite him, Rick Skye channels Liza Minnelli’s trademark energy and sass, adorned in a draping scarf and plenty of glitter. Skye nails Minnelli’s bold stage presence and injects a good dose of cheekiness, although there’s a lot of emotion there too – the clever mashup of ‘Cabaret’ and ‘Over the Rainbow’ (which includes a beautiful thank you to Judy Garland) brought us to tears, and it shows just how clever this act could be.
The setlist is a nostalgic tribute, featuring Broadway and Hollywood showstoppers that take the audience on a ride through the highs and lows of these iconic stars’ repertoires, and you’re going to know the songs by heart for the most part. Unfortunately, technical hiccoughs, including microphone issues, occasionally detract from the vocal balance, particularly in duets when Skye’s Minnelli sometimes overpowers Brinberg’s Streisand, making some harmonies feel unbalanced and losing the impact of what would have been unforgettable numbers. And while the dialogue between the two provides wit and humour, a sense of nervousness was clear, and the expected grandeur falls a bit short – the stripped-back approach does give the show a personal touch, but the minimalistic staging may feel underwhelming to those expecting a more dazzling experience.
Barbra & Liza Live! is a heartfelt tribute, with Brinberg and Skye honouring two extraordinary women whose legacies have shaped entertainment. True, a bit of the humour feels a little mean at times (a song sung by Liza about Betty Ford and constant references to drink and drug problems didn’t make us feel totally comfortable, although the second act’s warmth made up for it), but it’s never outright nasty.
Barbra & Liza Live! is definitely fun, but it’s a show that, despite its best efforts, doesn’t quite reach the heights of glamour and grandeur that audiences might hope for. Technical issues and a few imbalances in performance leave it feeling slightly under polished, but it’s still an enjoyable evening for those looking for a close, warm tribute to Streisand and Minnelli.
*** Three stars
Reviewed by: Lisamarie Lamb
Barbra & Liza Live! plays at Charing Cross Theatre until 17 November, with further info here.