Simply Barbra (Tour – Salford)

Venue: The Lowry
Where: Salford

Barbra Streisand impersonators are a dime a dozen, women dress as her, men dress as her and she is always a routine at one of the various cabaret nights around the world. However, Steve Brinberg is something quite extraordinary, whilst many look like her, he has the voice to boot and that’s what makes Simply Barbra simply irresistible.

The show is simple, it features Barbra, her piano player and a microphone. Brinberg sings the songs that all Streisand fans will love whilst adding a touch of humour and wit to proceedings when he talks to the audience as his alter ego, often poking fun (but lovingly) at some of her more famous personality traits.

His voice is quite remarkable, often you can hear the diva herself coming out (and we were happy he invited along his friends such as Cher and Bette Davies who he also voiced), sometimes he gets a little strained but it’s to be expected with a man singing in that register, but audiences eat up every second as if the real diva – Steisand herself is in the room.

As someone who is not the biggest fan of the legend I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the show, the music is great but its Brinberg’s sly nods and winks that really sell the show. The humour is helped along by his straight faced delivery (including a particularly funny moment involving the show Annie). If that’s enough to keep the fans happy he even duets, with himself, in a moment of sheer brilliance.

It’s easy to see why Brinberg is one of the most successful Barbra impersonators around. His talent, excellent stage presence and sheer love for the icon shine through, it’s his obvious passion that makes the show a unique and rather wonderful celebration of all things Babs.

– Craig Hepworth