United Kingdom John Barrowman – Camp as Christmas: Towngate Theatre, Basildon, Essex, 9.11.2025. (JPr)
As I’ve written earlier than, I’ve seen and heard John Barrowman a number of occasions since he was in Something Goes in 1989; subsequently there was Miss Saigon (1990), Matador (1991) and Sundown Boulevard (1994). These had been simply the musicals and there have been different concert events – the Henley Competition in 2009 as an example – and private appearances at conventions alongside the way in which. After I noticed his Laid Naked tour (evaluate right here) John revealed how in 10 years there have been truly 21 main male roles in musicals, so it’s thrilling how his 2026 tour is titled My Life in Musicals. I’ll follow what I wrote the primary time I reviewed John in 2009 after which repeated final 12 months: ‘On TV John Barrowman’s character could be over-bright in toothy smile and appeal however that ought to not deflect from what a tremendous singer he’s … He has an exquisite manner with the phrases of a music and offers every little thing he sings the respect it deserves.’
Returning to Basildon this 12 months along with his new Camp as Christmas present this held true whether or not it was – or was not – a Christmas music he was singing. As soon as once more within the pretty intimate setting this was one other splendidly joyful, cabaret-style night with laughter and music, and never a bit dancing (as John typically moved throughout the stage with the undimmed power of the Duracell Bunny). Three hours (with solely a brief interval) didn’t appear a minute too lengthy and because it ended with John’s signature ‘I Am What I Am’ (from La Cage aux Folles) the packed Basildon viewers had been on their ft, acclaiming what that they had seen and positively not as a result of they had been keen to go away! With strains like ‘I’m my very own particular creation’ / ‘And so what if I really like every sparkle and every bangle?’ / ‘And what I’m wants no excuses’, the music may have been written for him.
All-round entertainers like John Barrowman are a dying breed, somebody who firstly, can inform a narrative in music and convey a variety of feelings by way of music, and secondly, is a good comedian too. John – as soon as once more – had everybody laughing along with his anecdotes and fascinating quick-witted repartee with viewers members, his partner-in-crime, super-talented pianist (and musical director) Ben Papworth, in addition to life accomplice, husband Scott Gill. Fortunately the very youngest ears received’t perceive John’s extra risqué quips, so no one will come away from Camp as Christmas offended by something. Once more, for this tour there’s a Q&A bit within the second half the place viewers members can submit their questions utilizing a QR code. (You needed to be there when John was requested, hypothetically, if he may get away with it what superstar would he select to run over if he was driving a automotive.) Considerably too, there have been a number of tears alongside the way in which.
The set is an easy one with mainly three Christmas bushes, 4 banks of lights, some massive mushy toys and different Christmas presents, the virtuosic Ben at his piano (helped by some considered backing tracks) and a big display exhibiting a snowy scene or often humorous movies, in addition to private pictures, that includes John and Scott’s household, pals, canine, Dr Who memorabilia or Lego fashions.
John bounded on to the stage within the first of a collection of glittery outfits to the primary of a number of Christmas classics, ‘It’s the Most Fantastic Time of the Yr’, earlier than telling us ‘I need you to be silly, outrageous and camp’. Then we heard about John and Scott’s journey to a Tesco Further in an ‘attention-grabbing’ a part of Basildon which set the tone for a number of the tales we’d subsequently hear. John was completely happy to confess a number of the transitions from his tales into the songs had been ‘not so good’ and later seasonal numbers had been ‘My Grown-up Christmas Listing’, ‘Have Your self a Very Merry Little Christmas’, ‘When a Little one is Born’, ‘Santa Claus is Coming to City’ and ‘Silent Evening’. Different principally upbeat numbers exuberantly sung had been ‘Blame It on the Boogie’, ‘What Was I Made For?’ (from the Barbie movie), ‘Save the Final Dance for Me’, ‘The Sweet Man’ (from the Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Manufacturing unit movie), ‘Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight)’ with Scott reliving how he bought the cash for his or her journey to Savannah one time from an beginner strip evening (don’t ask!), ‘Time After Time’, in addition to ‘Love Is within the Air’.
We learnt lots about John’s upbringing and his love of celebrating Christmas with household and pals together with seeing his house with Scott adorned with its 13 Christmas bushes. I significantly appreciated the heartfelt tributes there have been to, firstly, his former band director at Excessive College and his choir director at church. As his tribute to their assist in the beginning of his profession he sang a reflective mash-up of ‘Be Thou My Vison’ with ‘Away in a Manger’. Secondly there have been reminiscences of Scott’s sister, Sandy, who had misplaced her battle with most cancers 20 years in the past and his mom who had died solely about 2½ weeks earlier than the present tour which is proving ‘Slightly little bit of a blessing in disguise to take our minds of issues’. For them John movingly sang Joni Mitchell’s ‘River’ and solely the toughest of hearts would fail to really feel their eyes moisten.
One other spotlight was that there had been a social media competitors #singwithBarrowman to search out ‘some native space expertise’ and we had been launched to 15-year-old Phoebe Croft from Basildon itself – who professed to eager to be an opera singer. Phoebe revealed her delightfully promising singing voice in ‘As soon as Upon a December’ (from the movie Anatasia) and a assured duet of ‘A Thousand Years’ with John.
In a greeting within the vibrant memento brochure John concludes how he created the present ‘to share my vacation custom of tales, songs, and panto bits with all of you, my fan household. Oh sure, I did! I hope you’ve a superb time.’
We definitely did and you’ll too!
Jim Pritchard
For extra about John Barrowman – Camp as Christmas and My Life in Musicals excursions click on right here.
Creatives:
Musical director – Ben Papworth
Music preparations – Mathew Brind and Brian MacDonald
Sound and Projection supervisor – Dickson Cossar
Lighting design – Dan Taylor
Sound workforce – Ellis Griffiths, Jeremy Cooper, Wealthy Holden
