Robbie Williams - The Robbie Williams Show DVD

The Robbie Williams Show is the first of many products which EMI hope will recompense them for their huge investment in Robbie. Stylised as a kitschy 1960s light entertainment special, and recorded on one of the James Bond stages at Pinewood Studios, the show opens in a spectacular manner with 80 dancers perched behind the star on a 60 ft scaffolding set. Produced as a "live" and intimate TV special to promote the album Escapology, the show also provides further evidence of the star's quest to become an all-round entertainer. Between the songs, Williams teases and... cajoles the audience with his usual patter of innuendo and self-parody. He also candidly discusses the multi-million pound record deal, his separation from long-time songwriting collaborator Guy Chambers, and his 12-month break from performing live. The show is faultless, and achieves its primary objective of showcasing the new album through a sensible mix of familiar favourites and fresh material. The dancers, musicians and stage set are also excellent, and provide further evidence of how Robbie Williams Inc. has become a mammoth enterprise with the fortunes of many riding on his success. However, his continued on and off-stage lampooning of his fame and fortune becomes immensely irritating after a while: change this record Robbie, before it wears you and your fans out. On the DVD: The Robbie Williams Show DVD reproduces the garish colours of the stage set and lighting, and the soundtrack (available in ordinary stereo, and 5.1 Surround) provides added panache to this light-entertainment spectacular. As well as the 23-minute backstage footage, comprising the standard Robbie-walking-around-with-no-shirt-on material, other extras include Hamish Brown's photos of the show, alternative versions of three of the songs, and footage rescued from the cutting-room floor of Robbie performing "Revolution". Extra footage can also be accessed following the successful completion of the "Follow the Lights" game. --John Galilee [show more]

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