John Barrowman – Laid Bare and deservedly back on a stage where he belongs

United Kingdom John Barrowman – Laid Bare: Towngate Theatre, Basildon, Essex, 11.10.2024. (JPr)

Musical director – Ben Papworth
Music arrangements – Mathew Brind
Sound/Light designer and operator – Dickson Cossar

I have seen and heard John Barrowman since Anything Goes in 1989, then in fairly rapid succession there was Miss Saigon (1990), Matador (1991) and Sunset Boulevard (1994). During Laid Bare we learnt how in 10 years there were 21 leading male roles. Oddly, I have reviewed him only once before this first night of a 46-date concert tour which has recently been extended through to March 2025. It was in 2009 when I went to the Henley Festival for the show Pure Gold from the Silver Screen which was hosted by Sir Michael Parkinson and John was also joined on the stage by West End actor and singer Kerry Ellis. John was announced as ‘Fresh from saving the world in Torchwood’ because that Sci-Fi show (which began in 2006) was at the height of its popularity and he starred as Captain Jack Harkness (a character who first appeared in Dr Who).

At that time John was the self-styled ‘hardest working person in showbusiness’ and at Henley was displaying his extraordinary talents as a refined vocalist of popular music. I wrote in 2009 how ‘On TV John Barrowman’s personality can be over-bright in toothy smile and charm but that should not deflect from what a fine singer he is in this sort of music. He has a wonderful way with the words of a song and gives everything he sings the respect it deserves.’ Lots has happened in the intervening years and so fast-forward to Basildon in 2024 – certainly not the Henley of the East! – for Laid Bare which is described as ‘an intimate look at John’s life and career in song’. I had every confidence that it would be a great evening, but my wife – who has seen John several times with me too – wondered what it would be like with just him and a pianist.

Well, I have no hesitation in saying this this was one of the best cabaret-style concerts I have ever seen, and I will remember it for a long, long time. John has often been called ‘Mr Entertainment’ and returning to tour the UK after a gap of too many years, his star quality as a performer is undiminished. During my life I had the privilege of seeing Frank Sinatra and Shirley Bassey and there is no doubt that John has a unique ability – like the two of them – of telling a story in song and conveying a range of emotions through music. John is a great comic too (again I have seen some of the best including Bob Hope and Billy Connolly) and he had the packed Basildon audience in fits of laughter with some asides, jokes, and anecdotes. Yes, of course, some of it might not be suitable for the youngest ears but nobody will come away from Laid Bare offended by anything. For this tour there are also Q&A sections in each half where audience members can ask questions submitted using a QR code. Significantly too – unless you have the hardest of hearts – there will be tears.

John bounds on to the stage to sing ‘When I Get My Name in Lights’ (from The Boy from Oz) and ‘Listen to the Music’ (a Doobie Brothers song) and it is clear he is as irresistible as ever and within minutes has the audience clapping along. John spoke about ‘What a joy it is to be back. Tonight, we’re going to celebrate music … laughter … love. I’m going to take you a little bit on the journey of my career from the beginning … For me to get back on stage for you and celebrate the joy that I get when I entertain you.’ When singing ‘A Thousand Years’ from the 2011 film The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 1 (with John’s version apparently now a popular wedding song) we discover how by adding a backing track John’s accompanist, the brilliant pianist Ben Papworth, actually has almost a symphony orchestra at his disposal for some of the songs.

A number of John’s songs were taken from his 2022 release Centre Stage: ‘Man of La Mancha’ (from the musical of the same name and ‘Not a song about a Donkey!’); ‘I Get a Kick Out of You’ (Anything Goes); ‘Corner of the Sky’ (from Pippin and John’s early days’ audition song); ‘Beautiful City’ (Godspell); ‘It All Fades Away’ (from The Bridges of Madison County and a favourite of John’s elderly parents); and ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’ (Funny Girl). There was so much more with certain other songs also imbued with John’s innate ability to believe in the power of music to connect with his audience and take them on a journey.

And those tears? Well, there was a sad, philosophical interlude when John addressed how ‘Over the last two years things have not gone so well for me,’ continuing ‘I went to bed on the 2nd of May 2021 not realising my world was about to shatter’. I am not going to rehash all the furore of that time, but how he got through it all is explained in his own words interspersed through a song (Demi Lovato’s ‘Skyscraper’). Like me maybe you’ll tear-up and you’ll certainly applaud him for surviving it all so positively.

John finished the show with his signature ‘I Am What I Am’ (La Cage aux Folles) bringing this audience up on their feet to show their appreciation. It is clear how everything John has been through in recent years has made him more grateful than ever before for any opportunity to perform for his fans once again. It was as if he was singing for every single one of us just because we had come to the Towngate Theatre to see him. John has never really done humble, but he genuinely looked moved by the standing ovation he got.

One song John has recorded and really should have sung was ‘As If We Never Said Goodbye’ (Sunset Boulevard) with its many poignant lines including:

‘This world’s waited long enough
I’ve come home at last!’

Indeed you have John; welcome back to a man born to be on a stage!

Jim Pritchard

For more about John Barrowman – Laid Back on tour click here.