Out on DVD & Blu-ray
Universal Pictures / UK / 2013 / 128 mins
To mark the beginning of his 2014 European tour and following the impressive release of his 100th album, the British legend Cliff Richard goes to Sydney, performing on one of the world’s most iconic stages to prove that he’s still got what it takes to execute a first-rate show. Opening with an astonishingly energetic cover of Chuck Berry’s Reelin’ and Rockin’ (titled), Cliff delivers the message that although he is 73, his crisp vocals are unspoiled and he still reigns as the emperor of on-stage dancing, propelling endless twirls, clicks and jumping jacks.
While the show is more heavily weighted on enthusiastic rock n’ roll, Cliff slips between everything from American country to slow ballads (probably needs a breather) and telling nostalgic anecdotes before every song. He even jokily performs several ‘flops’ alongside fine-tuned covers and duets. Most importantly he remembers all of his classics, there’s even a jovial rendition the well-loved Summer Holiday, making the whole Opera House sway from side to side.
The granddaddy of cool is compelling enough to watch just for the wonderment of his eternal youth, pulling off red converse and jeans better than any twenty-something could. After he bursts into a seamlessly choreographed hand-jive and a peppy cover of Charlie Gracie’s Fabulous, it becomes difficult not to bop along, a big Cliff fan or not.
His biographic storytelling is the ultimate sandwich filler between the cheerful music; a somewhat musical rendition of This Is Your Life. This causes a hint of sadness in the show, as it’s full of little reminders that regardless of his looks, he won’t actually be around forever. Despite the occasional melancholy of an aging Cliff Richard, the show makes for a very comforting watch. Albeit a little reminiscent of a Sunday afternoon drinking tea with your grandma, this is an unpredictable guilty pleasure.