A Friend of Dorothy

Rufus Wainwright's ambitious take on Judy Garland's definitive concert proves a triumphant success

Among other defining gay rites of passage - fumbling over first kisses, coming out to hysterical parents, crying a the disco, enduring filthy evenings at your local afterhours – lies the greatest love of all : expressing gratitude and respect to the greatest of gay icons, Judy Garland.

Myself a late bloomer, I didn’t discover Judy Garland until three years ago when I fell for a raging Judy Garland addict. Since then I’ve been forced to endure hours of movie musicals, documentaries, interviews, made-for-TV movies, and preaching lectures about MGM’s super-starlet, which has left me with an undeniable impression: Judy is God.

And if she isn’t, a devout gay cult certainly believes so.

And she was apparently never godlier than when she defied all odds in 1961 and delivered the ultimate comeback gig at New York’s Carnegie Hall. "You're all simply divine!" she cried to her adoring audience.

So naturally, news of singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright's ambitious plans to cover this definitive moment in gay history was met with as much skepticism as excitement. Despite obvious good intentions, how could he possibly avoid the pitfalls of camp pastiche?

But succeed and soar he did, to the glee of a highly appreciative audience. Backed up by an equally impressive 30-piece orchestra led by a handsome young conductor Stephen Oremeus, Mr Wainright managed to leave his ego at the door, and devote himself fully - not only to Judy - but also to the fantastic showtune standards by the likes of Rogers and Hart, Lerner and Loewe, Gershwin and others.

Gloriously transcending generations, Rufus thoroughly satisfied musically as he effortlessly crooned through tune after tune. His distinctive smokey voice, a far cry from Judy’s, was consistently interesting to listen to – and relaxed more than usual when singing uptempo. I often turned to look at my little Judy addict, who never withdrew a foolish grin.

It was as if Judy’s spirit had somehow taken over the body of this 33-year-old gay man who paradoxically managed to invoke her, without losing his own persona. A bit awkwardly theatrical, Rufus tried his best at jazz hands and making the occasional funny faces.

But he was able to pull it off because he never lost his sense of humour. As he opened with “When you’re smiling”, he interrupted himself, clearly shocked as his own ambition and asked, “What am I doing?"

Thankfully, we laughed with him, and on he sailed.

Like Judy, he chatted with the audience between songs, and unlike many artists who aren’t capable of candid banter, he was endearingly natural. Rufus relayed how much he loved the Wizard of Oz, how his father grew up with Liza, and how he dressed in his mothers clothes. It was really quite remarkable how well the show gave you a taste of what it must have been like in 1961.

Rufus was also joined onstage – in an emotional moment – by his sister Martha, who confessed how proud she was. Seemingly touched, he laughed off her compliment and blamed it on "jetlag". She then treated the audience to a tender rendition of “Someone to Watch over me”.

And if it couldn’t get any better, Rufus launched into the show-stopping " Trolley Song", adding an impromptu interpretive dance. By this point, the grannies and gays were bouncing in their seats. Suddenly, out from the wings burst the deliciously camp Lorna Luft, Judy's daughter, eliciting an audible sigh of chaotic delirium. ( I must admit, I didn't know who she was until the Judy addict quickly informed me).

She thanked Rufus for his appreciation of her mother's work before belting out “I could go on singing”, which she probably wanted to do, but was gracious enough to hand it back to the worthy star.

With a refreshingly original concept from a modern pop star, Rufus has made an significant gesture to the memory of Saint Judy, celebrating a rich body of work in a show that was full of heart.

At the after show reception, a representative from Cruisaid made a passionate speech thanking Rufus for the generous contribution raised from proceeds of the concert and reminded us that their work to support people living with HIV/AIDS in poverty was far from over.

There is a repeat performance at L’Olympia in Paris this week and again on Sunday, 25th of February, at the London Palladium. Rufus, as Judy, is the “must see” event of the winter.

For tickets call 08700 400 046 or 020 7539 3884.