THE JAMES BOND CONCERT SPECTACULAR at Indigo at the O2

★★★½

“a shaken-and-stirring combo of hits through the ages”

Superspy James Bond is no stranger to The O2. Remember the sequence in 1999’s The World Is Not Enough? The suave Pierce Brosnan zips the Q Boat round the Docklands. He is a man so fearless he has the nerve to dip under that brackish stew (less sewage in those days I assume) while memorably straightening his tie.

He was chasing the Cigar Girl Assassin and finds himself dangling from a rope beneath her hot air balloon. He lets go when the woman shoots out a gas cylinder and crashes onto the white roof with a mild “oof” and then tumbles pell mell down its curves.

About 1,000 fans of 007 gathered to celebrate the man and his music at that very spot. I doubt they failed to make the connection.

Indeed, they would have probably added – over a martini at the bar – that the Thames sequence was the longest pre-title sequence in Bond history, along with other assorted fun facts.

It was very much that kind of evening at Q The Music’s James Bond Concert Spectacular, which served up a shaken-and-stirring combo of hits through the ages along with reminiscences from a couple of acting VIPs.

There was a Comic Con feel to the gathering, all friends together, hunting Easter Eggs and adding to the texture of their fandom.

An impressive big band – frayed round the edges at the beginning but finding their heat – did admirable service to a string of no filler hits, adrenalin-pumping film scores, and that John Barry theme tune that has earned the right to be labelled iconic.

Da-da-daaa.

A couple of golden throated belters absolutely nailed the hits – Nobody Does It Better closing the first act with pomp while Live and Let Die was spectacular. A combo of Skyfall and Writing On The Wall (from Spectre) proved unexpectedly affecting.

In between, there was some stilted chat as smooth host David Zaritsky tried to squeeze secrets out of Maud Adams (two different Bond girls) and Britt Ekland.

Everything was sequinned and sparkly, like a cruise liner dinner show. But that’s fine. That’s what we came for. Roger Moore’s arched eyebrow was the evening’s creative director reminding us that high camp was always an essential ingredient of “the franchise”.

Another bonus: the tunes were so evocative, so fixed on our cultural landscape, that everyone brought their own little cinema, reliving sequences and memorable movie moments in their minds.

The music was a brassy romp, the nostalgia was cosy, and the atmosphere genial. Some segments were Double Oh-No! But most were Double Oh Heaven.

Goldfinger lickin’ good.

THE JAMES BOND CONCERT SPECTACULAR at Indigo at the O2

Reviewed on 13th October 2024

by Giles Broadbent

Photography by Elly Russell

More reviews by Giles:

DR DOLITTLE KILLS A MAN (AND READS EXTRACTS FROM HIS NEW BOOK) | ★★★ | MUSEUM OF COMEDY | October 2024

THE LEHMAN TRILOGY | ★★★★★ | GILLIAN LYNNE THEATRE | October 2024

PAST TENTS | ★★★ | GOLDEN GOOSE THEATRE | October 2024

THE CABINET MINISTER | ★★★★ | MENIER CHOCOLATE FACTORY | September 2024

THE BAND BACK TOGETHER | ★★★★ | ARCOLA THEATRE | September 2024

THE JAMES BOND CONCERT SPECTACULAR

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★★★

“We’re in the land of the surreal, where nothing makes sense until it suddenly does”

His name is Dolittle, Dr John Dolittle, sweaty adventurer, animal linguist and hyper-animated Oxford don. Remember him? He was played by Eddie Murphy in the movies (which he hates).

He wants to share his secrets, read from his new book, take your questions, sell you merch, take you places and have a laugh.

Aidan Pittman performs this genial boffin (yes, we’re firmly in boffin land) and he’s good company. Likeable. Energetic. Busy. He can do quips. He can send himself up. He can fall down. He can riff with the crowd. He lives on that thin sliver of zany that is full of hysterical glee.

The compact Museum of Comedy already resembles an Anderson bomb shelter, so his surreal capers are the perfect fit – straight out of a 1940s derring-do radio show, with something of The Goons in the mix.

After the whirlwind introduction, a debrief on his tricks of the trade (so we can speak mouse), we’re off. The spine of this show – directed by co-writer Hudson Hughes – is his new book. Dolittle plucks a tale at random – some silliness involving a large ruby – and he lets his imagination run riot.

Fun back projection graphics pick out his route across the map Indiana Jones style and we get to trot the globe with our amiable guide on this tiny, tiny stage. He meets his wondrous pals, like the wise old tortoise which makes for good eating. And nasty villains, like the camp Nazi Puffin that Dolittle wants to boot like a rugby ball.

Throughout all this, Pittman carries with him a Greg Davies air of scornful surprise, as if the world can only possibly make sense on his terms.

Halfway in and he can’t stop now because he’s all fired up. He’s the kid on the school coach who drank too many Fruit Shoots, bouncing off the ceiling and endlessly distracted by shiny things. He’s the funny twerp, the galumphing buffoon.

What does it all mean though? What’s the Fountain of Evolution? Why was Charles Darwin so angry? And why is Curious George less inquisitive these days, with no interest in much except for cleaning glasses in his film noir bar?

Well, if that’s what’s bothering you – plot integrity, character growth – you’re in the wrong show, pal. We’re in the land of the surreal, where nothing makes sense until it suddenly does. And that’s the sign you’ve fully arrived in his world. It’s a happy place. Go there.

What a pure hit of giddy fun.

Category Archives: Reviews

THE JAMES BOND CONCERT SPECTACULAR

★★★½

Indigo at the O2

THE JAMES BOND CONCERT SPECTACULAR at Indigo at the O2

★★★½

“a shaken-and-stirring combo of hits through the ages”