Was Dame Julie Andrews Really a Disappointment?
Published on Tuesday 11th May, 10.35am, Written by Carrie Dunn
The grandes dames of musical theatre have been out in force in London recently.
Shirley Jones did her one-woman-and-her-son show; Debbie Reynolds has been well and truly Alive and Fabulous; and the biggest of them all, the miraculous Julie Andrews, has been performing at the O2 Arena.
Dame Julie Andrews
They’ve all had mixed reviews in terms of their performance, which I guess is probably not surprising when you’re dealing with women in their eighth decades and whose vocals are dropping off. But it is Andrews – dear, sweet Julie Andrews, not just a national treasure but an intergalactic one – who’s had the most vicious comments directed at her.
Reports suggest that the first act of Andrews’ show was a selection of musical theatre songs performed primarily by a quintet of five Broadway performers, with Andrews acting as a kind of compere and joining in occasionally, and the second act was some kind of performance of the children’s book she wrote with her daughter.
Andrews, famously, lost her singing voice after an operation on her vocal chords some years ago. Though she managed a cameo song in The Princess Diaries 2, she’s not been able to perform properly since then. It was perhaps a little disingenuous of her management to entitle the concert The Gift Of Music, which the naïve or the foolish might deem a promise that Andrews would sing, but when she’s talking about her favourite shows and she has a cast of five to do the singing for her, maybe that wording is fair enough.
In fact, very little of the furore after the show expressed disappointment at Andrews’s lack of singing, because it is so well known that that famous extensive range has long since disappeared. If there was fury, it was at the tour management and promoters who allowed her to take to the stage when she can’t do what she does best; and at the director for allowing her to leave the stage for such long stretches of time as her supporting cast did the work for her.
The powerful feeling of nostalgia seems to have overwhelmed the ardent fans who were so disappointed – they are sad that Andrews can’t sing any more, so they don’t want to hear her struggle with notes, but nor do they want to be reminded too much of how good she was in her heyday, so they don’t like to see the film montages of her big-screen turns either.
In an odd way, it seems as if the huge disappointment and anger after Andrews’ show is actually a tribute to how much she is loved and what an impact she has had during her career.
People adore her too much to want to see anything less that practical perfection in every way from her. Seriously, how many of the leading ladies of today – either on Broadway and the West End – will be able to sell out a cavernous venue like the O2 (or even a tiny one like the Arts Theatre) in 50 years’ time?
I’m genuinely asking.
For me it was Julie Andrews being absent from the stage for quite a lot of the time. I think everyone is aware that she had an operation on her vocal chords and was unable to sing as she could and that she would only have the energy of a 74 year old.
However, she could have stayed on the stage and mimed, that would have really been ok. If she can, as she claims, sing Old Man River, perhaps she could have managed Feed the Birds from Mary Poppins. Why did nobody think of that maybe? Even just a few lines from Wouldn’t it be Luvverly from My Fair Lady would have got a cheer, she didn’t even have to do the whole song. Perhaps some money could have been spent on a some kind of moving set, chimneys one minute, a hill backdrop the next maybe? Maybe some children could have joined for Doh Ray Me (as it was, the best part of the show). Maybe Connie Fisher could have been asked to the stage to sing, that would have been a popular move. Maybe Julie could have said hi to Liz. Personally some more photo montages would have been welcome, and surely manageable?. A lot more could have been done to make up the fact that Julie Andrews cannot sing in the way she used to be able to.The main complaint is that people spent a lot of money and didn’t really see a “show” with her in it, singing or not. The entire enterprise lacked imagination and smacked of laziness.
well said, and i wholeheartedly agree
Hi
I was there on sat night – I thoroughly enjoyed it – to have the backing of those stars including the philharmonic orchestra made it a fab show. Dame Julie made no suggestion at any point, pre sale, that she would be belting out the hits herself. This was a celebration of her, the joy was written all over her face at being back on stage in London. I was proud to be apart of it, and cherished the evening, which for me fulfilled a dream to see her on stage. The music emanating from that stage was world class; Dame Julie made it special and emotional for all watching!
Cheryl
Thank you! I think you’ve put this very nicely. Though I for one thoroughly enjoyed the concert, and Julie’s surprises surpassed me expectations.
It was well publicised just exactly what the show would consist of, so if people didn’t want to see The Gift of Music, as it was, they shouldn’t have bothered to buy tickets. Julie sang her songs beautifully and very movingly. There aren’t many 75 year old singers who still have the same range anyway, never mind after a botched throat operation. As you say, how may other singers will be able to sell out the o2 after fifty years? You might have Madonna, who could never sing very well anyway!
See i can understand what your saying about the gift of music, but the promotion did nothing to guide the public to the fact that she would not be singing most of the songs. I was intrigued to find out who the ‘special guests’ were, hoping that they may infact be people that she worked with in her films not 5 (great) unknown singers.
At last a well balanced review of the show. For me, the show was a dream come true – seeing my idol sing live. I can understand why people did not like the second part of the show, it was fairly indulgent. BUT when Julie sang the whole place went wild and she absolutely shone.
Just watched “Edelweiss” on Youtube and the way Julie Andrews sings “my homeland for ever” with the bodylanguage…..it is touching but also sad: England is her homeland and this is how she was welcomed by the press after such a long time…….
Having seen her countless of times on stage since 1973 this concert was extremely touching: Julie at her age now, looking back with us, at her career and singing a few songs with so much feeling in it……
I am glad I did not miss the O2 last saturday…….
I too was there on Saturday night, and being an ardent fan of Julie Andrew coupled with the fact it was my birthday I didnt feel that the promotion of ‘A night with Julie Andrews’ – a Gift of Music is what we got.
What really annoyed me was the fact that paying £75 per ticket i could not even see her, when she did come on stage in the first half she rarely sang anything (although she claims to still have octave range to sing in certain songs) and when not leaving the stage (on 2 occasions) she was left sitting on a stool (looking quite alone!) and watching the 5 ‘unknowns’ perform.
To be honest if i wanted to have an evening with 5 unknowns whilst Julie Andrew watched i would never have asked for my husband to buy the tickets. I felt sorry for lots of the audience that i saw leaving in disgust at the lack of showmanship that this concert had.
I agree the we are all aware of her lack of voice and her age, so why subject this lovely english lady to having to ‘chip in’ on songs or narrate her way through a concert? I feel that they have not only tainted her wonderful image but they have also ended herlive singing career.
I say with great disappointment that my husband and I will be seeking a refund.
I was there on Saturday night too. For me, just being in the presence of Julie Andrews was enough. I have admired her for years and never thought that I would get a chance to see her back on the stage after the operation on her throat went wrong.
Every interview that I saw and every radio interview that I heard made it pretty clear that Julie would not be singing and I also knew before the event that the second half of the evening would be dedicated to a musical adaption of the chidrens book that she wrote with her daughter. I have to say that I was surprised at just how much she did sing and how beautiful her voice still is. Yes, she can’t belt them out like she used to but so what? We got to see JULIE ANDREWS. She was funny, endearing, touching and genuine and I am pleased and proud to have been a part of the audience.
I also agree with Marie-Jeanne, why on earth would she ever want to perform in the UK again, even if it is her home, after such a viscious attack by the press? There is no way that she deserves the reviews that she has been given.
As for the second half, admittedly the adaption of Simeons’ Gift wasn’t my favorite part of the show, partly because I wasn’t inspired by the supporting artists, but I would sit through it a hundred times over just to see Julie walk on that stage again. The highlights for me? Well, Doe Ray Me, Cock-eyed optimist and Eidelweiss.
Julie was a joy and while it was heart-breaking to see her frustration at not being able to sing how she would like to, it was also a pleaseure to see her beam everytime she did sing. I definitely won’t be requesting a refund.
I completely agree – yes the second half wasn’t the best but just to be in the same room as Julie Andrews is something that I thought I would never be able to experience.
To be honest I am not surprised at the reviews – I also went to see Barbra Streisand in the o2 a couple of years ago and whilst she did stay on the stage for most of the performance and belt out some of her well loved songs she still got bad reviews and people saying that she’s getting too old for it. I think Julie was stuck either way, if she never sang anything there would have been just as many bad reviews as when she only sang a few songs.
In my opinion Julie fans should have known that she wouldn’t be able to sing and even bigger Julie fans would have been on youtube and watched the clips from the exact same show that she did in America so they knew what to expect like I did!
As a 28 year old I never thought I would get the chance to experience these two legends perform in my country, at a venue I could afford and am thankful that they put the time and effort in so that the younger generation who weren’t around in their ‘hay day’ also got a chance to experience their true genius.
While I, too, agree that “Simeon’s Gift” was an ill-conceived choice for the second act of the program, the vicious attack on Julie Andrews by the media for it was completely uncalled for. The event was all about spending time and sharing an evening with one of the most charming, captivating and talented women ever born to the Brits and, in that regard, it was a triumph. What Julie may lack in vocal range and ability now is more than compensated for by her emotional connection to the lyrics and to her audience and, in that regard, she was amazing.
It is truly shocking that her beloved hometown would treat her so poorly.
Yes, I was there too………..loved every minute. My 21 yr old daughter did too…her icon since the age of 3.
No amount of criticism can deter my thoughts. Julie Andrews is a true professional and has star quality which many artists lack today!
I don’t need to say any more…BUT…..the 02 shoiud get their act together and allow such concerts to finish earlier.
It has transpired that many people had transport to catch and had travelled many miles to attend the evening, thus left early!!
This happeneed to me a year earlier when I missed the last train home to Chippenham!!!!
I was there on saturday, and i must say that i thought she was brilliant, her presence alone was enough for me as she truly is an icon. I heard a lot of people express their disappointment that she did not sing more, but from the beginning of the show she made no pretense that she would, and I was quite disgusted to see people leaving in the second half.
I think it must be awful for her to be on stage with 5 people who can sing so well knowing that she’ll never be able to sing like that again, it was such a big part of her life and i think it must be very difficult. She has been left with little over an octave range, so most songs are unsingable- even do-re-mi, which she still sang, to please her fans. Iheard a lot of people saying “Oh she could have sung that last one, its not that high”, the fact of the matter being that she couldn’t have! The songs she did sing were beautifuly moving, and you could see her light up at the fact that she was singing on a stage again, every song she sang brought a tear to my eye.
The purpose of saturday night was for Dame Julie to share her love of music, and the wonderful music of Rodgers and Hammerstein with her fans, and i think she achieved this perfectly, she was no disappointment.
julie andrews was one of my idols i have lost total respect for this lady after being swindled out of 100 pound a ticket to not see her much but 5 other people i have never heard of singing the songs.it should have been marketed as a tribute to julie andrews.
Seeing Julie Andrews performing at the o2 last weekend was a legendary time for me. Infact I didnt even know i was going untill the wednesday of that week, as my lovely husband surprised me with the tickets knowing how much i love Julie! Ever since i was young i’ve always wished to meet her,but having an evening with her on saturday was by far good enough for me! I am still furious with the response that many have given. In my opinion,people entered the concert that evening with their eyes and minds closed,expecting Julie to perform like she did when she was in her 20′s! Very unfair comes to mind! Not to mention the surgery that took place years ago. And all those who have shared their ideas of how they would have perfomed the evening, don’t forget we’re talking about one of the most sort after, most successful actresses out there. I think she knows what she’s doing!!! The fact that Julie and her daughter had produced the S’ Gift together was a lovely thing in itself, but seeing how passionate Julie was as her collegues were working away acting it out, brought to my attention precisely why Julie called her evening ‘The Gift Of Music’ Because music means that much to her! Obviously and unfortunately some just didnt want to see it that way. Its strange that myself,a 28 year old had more manners than people over 40 who were walking out mid flow. I could of cried for Julie!
I just want to say however that i thouroughly enjoyed myself, as did my husband and when we arrived home, we watched Mary Poppins and The Sound Of Music! I will never forget our evening with the amazing Julie Andrews. If you ever get any knowlegde of any of these reviews Julie, I love you lots and will always cherish the influence you’ve had on my life as i’ve grown up. You’re a lovely lady! Katrina x
While I was not at the 02 concert itself, I have paid careful scrutiny to the various press releases after the show. It is my humble opinion that Carrie Dunn has perhaps given the most poignant review of all, most especially as with these two paragraphs:
,,,”The powerful feeling of nostalgia seems to have overwhelmed the ardent fans who were so disappointed – they are sad that Andrews can’t sing any more, so they don’t want to hear her struggle with notes, but nor do they want to be reminded too much of how good she was in her heyday, so they don’t like to see the film montages of her big-screen turns either.
In an odd way, it seems as if the huge disappointment and anger after Andrews’ show is actually a tribute to how much she is loved and what an impact she has had during her career.”
Perhaps the show could have been better staged, but from all accounts (of those that I’ve read at any rate), it seems the case that what Julie’s fans wanted to see more of, and did not get, was simply…
…HER.
That being said, I will always love Julie Andrews and always have. I am sorry I was not able to attend the 02 concert, but I have my ticket as a sort of souvenir.
I am just so truly sorry to hear that so many fans of hers were so obviously disheartened with this performance.
I was at the O2 on Saturday night and had an amazing time. Like many others that have already commented I have admired Julie from a distance for years, have loved all her shows and to have the honour of seeing her live on stage was a dream come true.
When booking the tickets I had been aware that Julie’s voice was not what it was and so deliberately set out to read around about the concert so I knew exactly what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised, as Julie actually sang more than we had been lead to believe.
What did disappoint me was what I felt to be the lack of support from the audience and press. This was her first show, in England in thirty years and many people chose to walk out half way through. Yes, the second half of the concert wasn’t the show tunes that we all know and love but it clearly showed Julie moving on with her career and venturing into other areas. It saddens me that people feel the O2 / concert organisers are to blame for their ignorance in not knowing what the concert was about when it was clearly publicised.
I was proud to be at the concert on Saturday and proud to see and support Julie Andrews moving on with her life, after loosing the voice we all think of when we hear her name. I only hope that she feels she can come back to her homeland sometime in the future as I know I, and many others, would love to see her again.
The British press was indeed vicious!! What I have seen on YouTube was actually far more singing than she had done in the same concert performed in the US. Julie, come back “home” to the United States where you are still appreciated and loved.
Knew that it would be a disappointment but still flew all the way to London for the event; I was generally not disappointed by her but by the direction and overall approach of the tribute. It was rather poorly done especially since her concerts in the 1980s and 1990s on tour and PBS were superbly put together, directed and stylized. A lot more effort and professional thought should have been put into this; she is still relatively young, attractive and utterly charming and can certainly stand/sit/dance/prance around the stage to be more than an “onlooker”. A lot of money for an “image breaker”
I was at the O2 to see Julie Andrews and enjoyed every minute of it! She is a true star of the highest magnitude who hasn’t performed on a stage in the U.K for over 30 years.
The audience was blessed to have actually seen her “in person” and when she did sing it reminded one of what a great performer she is. Her bodged throat op has been widely publicised (not least by herself and it was evident from her speaking and singing voice that they are both quite fragile-so any further speaking or singing would have been out of the question. Her moving “My Funny Valentine ” was an object lesson in pacing and really bringing the words and story across. We are lucky to have produced the greatest musical comedy performer of all time and should be celebrating about what she has given us over the years. Rex Harrison and Richard Harris were not criticised for their lack of singing and her sincerity ,beauty and talent was more than evident by those of us who were lucky enough to be there. The press should just leave her alone -most of the reporting has been wildly inaccurate with supposedly droves of people leaving and queues demanding their money back..She had a standing ovation before and after the show,some people left-as they usually do at the o2 for transport reasons and last trains,there were only a few people at customer services and they were mainly friends and family asking where the green room was.,a dn she didnt leave the stage for long spells-she was very evident and I for one would not have missed seeing her!
I was in the first few rows and Julie Andrews was on stage for most of the night. When she was not speaking or singing she was sat on a stool first on the left of the stage and then on the right. The problem was that was not shown on the large screens so anyone any further back were not able to see her. I thought she was amazing. She was totally mesmerizing whilst on stage and very honest about what the show was about from the moment she came on to rapturous ovation. This woman is a real ‘Star’ and a legend and it was an honour to see her live on a London stage.
I was at the concert and thought it was fab!
The woman got six standing ovations. I totally knew what I was getting before arrived as I had watched/read lots of the interviews that she had done when she said she was coming to England. I had also watched the clips on Youtube of the US tour.
I don’t understand why it seems to have been blown up to be a big deal in the press. Julie is still a first class act and I would pay to see her again and again. The evening was such a refreshing change and I really appreciated the effort that had gone into it all.
As someone else mentioned she was onstage most of the night – apart from when she did a costume change.
I was just honoured to breath the same air as her. I truly hope that this does not put her off coming home again.
I would pay double teh ticket cost to see her again.
I was there that night, and enjoyed every minute of it!! :) Julie was amazing, her voice seemed strong and powerful, and it was really a dream come true for me to see her on stage! Well done Julie!!
Sort of sounds like the British press just likes to be cruel and hurtful. Just such a lack of knowledge and facts in their reporting – as if they just wanted to print a negative spin on such a beautiful evening. Perhaps they just aren’t Julie Andrews fans or perhaps they are just ignorant – not sure .. but they did get this one wrong.
Julie Andrews shined up on that stage and received 6 standing ovations throughout the night! 6! That’s pretty impressive and definitely shows how well the performance was received. The audience loved it. There was not a dry eye anywhere near me after Julie sang ‘Cockeyed Optimist’ – she still has it. Sure she doesn’t sound as she did when she was younger but her courage and her grace and her class still shine through. She captivates an audience like no other and it was an honor to be sitting in that arena watching Julie perform …what a wonderful evening of music.
She’s one of a kind and boy am I glad to have been a part of that evening – it was one night I won’t ever forget.
I went with friend to the O2 with “Gift of Music an evening with Julie Andrews” and we had a wonderful evening. Julie was great.
She sung a beautiful version of A Cock-Eyed Optimist and My Funny Valentine was moving. Fun to watch was ´There is Nothing Like a Dame from South Pacific´ – doubtless an in-joke about her title. The performance of impossible /possible from Cinderella was great and the whole O2 sung alone with Do-re-mi.
I came all the way from Hungary and waited for 6 years to finally meet her and all I can say is… The concert was simply AMAZING!!!!! It worth every penny I spent. Singing with her Do-Re-Mi was a moment I will cherish forever, frankly those 3 minutes worth all the way to London and back… =) She looked absolutely stunning, frankly Julie is more and more beautiful as time goes by…=) She has grace, she has style, she is a real legend!!!
We sat on level 4, very high, but we had a great view to the stage and… we could see her backstage!!! The whole concert started with the Sound of Music “I know I will hear what I heard before…. and I will sing once more” then she came in…=) The second half was about Simeon’s Gift, personally I do not like musicals too much, but this one was simply wonderful!!!
So I was absolutely HAPPY =) about the concert!!!!!… Julie you were absolutely amazing and we love you! =) =) =)
I have never seen Julie perform in person and would give anything to be able to see her even if it isn’t perfect any more. She is and always will be an icon. If England can’t treat her any better than this, she should know that America still loves her and would never treat her like this. Don’t let this get you down Julie. You are still great and there are still so many people who would love to have had the opportunity to spend an evening with you. I for one am very disappointed that the country I have always thought I would love to visit has tainted my vision of them and I no longer wish to visit a country that houses such cruel people.
When growing up in London, Julie Andrews was, and still is my idol. I now live in New Zealand and flew to London primarily to see Julie Andrews “A Gift of Music” at the 02 Arena.
I was in the 5th row centre from the stage, had a superb view of what I have to say was one of the most memorable shows I have ever seen. Julie made it clear from the start what she would be doing and it was everything and more that I expected. There was such a sense of patriotism and devotion when she first appeared on stage, cleverly done with a video clip of her singing ‘The Sound of Music’, probably 20 years ago before the devastating operation when she was wearing a gold lame, full skirted dress and then she appeared in the same dress from the side of the stage. It was so emotional and I think everyone around me admired the courage she had to do the concert.
The scathing and quite frankly, brutal reviews were nothing short of a disgrace and insulting to our national treasure. I just hope that Dame Julie reads all these user comments and understands that so many in the audience truly loved the show and would definitely go again.
I am – or was – a committed fan of Dame Julie and her work. But her bad habit of smarming everything with a slightly patronising smile and pleasant word has started to do my head in. Had she shared anecdotes or ‘embraced’ (a word she loves using) with the audience in a meaningful way, instead of just turning the microphone at them and joking ‘You can do better than that’ during the sing-along numbers, it would have been better. As it was, she sang virtually nothing properly, and the ‘Simeon’s Gift’ thing was a school show blown out of proportion. Why-oh-why did her people not book the Palladium or some such theatre for her? That would have been much more manageable, and a true reflection of where she comes from. A lot of money changed hands for this concert. I am not surprised that a lot of people are asking for it to change hands again, in the opposite direction.