Front Row Dress Circle

I have always been a great fan of the legendary Judy Garland. Those who know her only as the young Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz should treat themselves to a recording of hers – preferably a live recording – to really get a true appreciation of just how phenomenal a performer she was on stage. If I could suggest one in particular I would say go for Judy Garland – Live at Carnegie Hall from April 23 1961. Absolutely mind blowing.

Of course Judy was just as well known for her chaotic private life; her drug addictions and alcoholism often threatened to kill her long before she died in London at the age of 47. See a photo of her around that time and it is incredibly hard to believe she was that young when she died – she looked more like 77. But enough of that…

Judy’s amazing onstage presence has been recreated by the brilliant American entertainer Jim Bailey and is performing as Judy in London at the moment. To see Jim as Judy (pictured) is to really believe the woman still lives. Even though he does not have a name that suggests showbusiness razzamatazz, Jim has been impersonating famous legends for well over 40 years and has perfected Judy so well that even her own daughter, Liza Minnelli, was deeply moved by his interpretation of her mother.

Jim has also performed as Barbra Streisand and I first saw him on an episode of Here’s Lucy when I was a child in the 70′s. He appeared in the show impersonating famous comedienne Phyllis Diller and was said to have gotten his big break from that appearance.

Judy Garland always claimed that London, and Londoners, had a special place in her heart – eventually it was where she died. Listen to her singing A Foggy Day and you can hear the love in her voice for the city. I am sure that she will be welcomed back with open arms after so long – 40 years to be exact – and we have Jim Bailey to thank for bringing her ‘home’ again.

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