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Bette Midler: Divine Intervention

Bette Midler performing on her current tour. Photo: Larry Marano
Bette Midler performing on her current tour. Photo: Larry Marano
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A pink tornado projected on to screens heralds Bette Midler’s arrival on stage at London’s O2, before she promises to “lift our spirits, like a boob job for the soul”. Two hours later, she more than fulfils that promise, bringing with her an energetic and vibrant mix of songs and stand-up, all wrapped together in a supremely entertaining show that is every bit as divine as its title suggests.

After an opening number that takes the show’s title, and introduces us to her onstage band and trio of impressive backing singers, she moves on to sing Cole Porter’s I’ve Still Got My Health. And she clearly does. Midler, dressed in a short pink dress, totters around the stage, effortlessly engaging and beguiling as she approaches her 70th birthday.

This being Midler the show oozes theatricality, no segment more so than a tribute to her 1993 film Hocus Pocus. After an intro of lightning strikes and flashing lights against a projected image of a haunted house, Midler appears dressed as her character Winnie. Complete with fake teeth and red wig, she sings I Put a Spell on You and shows us she’s up for having some fun. It’s infectious.

The singing is superb – she is vocally rich and strong – but equally as entertaining are the comic interludes. Here Midler is uproariously funny. There’s a particularly delicious skit in which, having referenced US reality TV stars the Kardashians, Midler unveils a series of mocked-up selfies featuring her own recent ‘conquests’. There are photos of Midler with Jamie Oliver (“He told me I had to eat in a healthier way, so I wrapped his penis in a lettuce leaf”) and Boris Johnson (“I went to ride on one of his bikes…next thing I know I’m riding Boris”).

If this makes it seem that Midler is all about being bawdy, she’s not. Just as she has you shaking with laughter, she’ll have you crying to one of her ballads. The Rose and The Wind Beneath My Wings are performed flawlessly, with tenderness.

This is a show that delivers on every level, and reminds you why Midler is one of showbusiness’ most enduring stars.

Production Details
Production nameBette Midler: Divine Intervention
VenueO2 London
LocationLondon, as part of UK tour
StartsJuly 9
EndsJuly 19
Running time2hrs
CreatorBette Midler
DirectorBette Midler, Toni Basil
Musical directorMorris Pleasure
ChoreographerToni Basil
Set designerMichael Cotten, Robert Ramos
Costume designerThe Blonds
Lighting designerPeter Morse
Video/projection designerOlivier Goulet
Cast includesCarol Hatchett, Kyra Dacosta, Nicolette Hart
ProducerLarry Magid Group, Live Nation
VerdictA knock-out show from one of showbusiness' greatest performers, Divine Intervention is perfection.
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Matthew Hemley

Matthew Hemley

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