By Neil Durham

WORTH A LOOK?: ****

WHEN?: Last date of tour Monday 7 April 2025

Setlist: Polari; I Know; Make Me A Man; If You’re Over Me; Whisper In The Waves; Cupid’s Bow; Archangel; King; Dizzy; Starstruck; Worship/Breathe; Desire; All For You; It’s A Sin; Eyes Shut; When We Kiss; Sweet Talker; Heal You; Shine

The voice of Sir Ian McKellen (Player Kings, Noel Coward Theatre) opens the show explaining Polari, the title of Alexander’s debut album, and the actor’s here tonight waving at the delighted crowd from the box above us.

• Read on for reasons including how Alexander has been rejuvenated by this tour and meeting his audience again

This sold-out show is the last of the Up Close and Polari Tour and, despite this being a seated and renowned theatrical venue, the audience is standing up and dancing from the 1st note.

Alexander is accompanied by 2 backing singers, an electric guitarist who also plays keyboards and a drummer. The band brings real energy and life to the music which includes the best of that debut album but also hits from Years and Years, the band Alexander used to front.

There are a smattering of audience members dressed in T-shirts bearing the word ‘La’ as a nod to the 80s-set Russell T Davies drama It’s A Sin that Alexander also starred in and he draws on that acting experience to explain the concept of Polari before rummaging in a dressing-up box to give us quick costume changes on the hoof.

Alexander opens his heart to explain the lyrics of new song Archangel, of finding it difficult to ask for help, the importance of having someone look out for you and being an angel for someone else.

It’s followed by Years and Years’ charttopper King which spurs the audience to dance even more exciteably as Alexander explains it’s usually the last song of the night although now the emphasis is on his solo material.

He plays piano for a stripped-back version of Eurovision entry Dizzy and says of the events last May: ‘Eurovision wasn’t the easiest of experiences for me. I watched the performance back recently and I wouldn’t change a thing about it though.’

Alexander doesn’t want this tour to end particularly as he’s in a venue with many of the people closest to him in the audience including his mother and co-writer.

He says he’s been rejuvenated by this tour and meeting his audience again – and we look forward to supporting him in whatever he chooses to do next.

This era may have ended but Alexander has so many strings to his bow that his future is bright whether it’s screen acting, theatre work or more music he works on next.

• Main pictures via Facebook courtesy Olly Alexander Tickets
• Have you seen an Olly Alexander show before and what did you think of this album? Let us know what you thought in the comments below
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