June 9 2009 by Roz Laws

IT takes a spectacular show to fill a huge stadium and entertain 40,000 people, but Take That have more than delivered with their Circus tour.

Jason Orange introduced the evening by promising “loads of tunes and loads of dancing”.

They didn’t let us down, but what he didn’t mention was everything else we were going to get.

Like all the circus performers – acrobats, trapeze artists, dancers with feathered head-dresses, clowns and a tightrope walker.

Britney Spears is also currently touring a circus show (though not to the Midlands) but has come under fire for miming.

Not only do the multi-talented fab four sing every note, but they dance, play instruments and even ride unicycles.

They are witty, humble and delighted at their continued success, as if they can’t quite believe their luck.

They offer value for money, playing 23 hits in the two-hour show and changing into seven different outfits, mainly variations on the ringmaster theme.

At one point they dress in clown suits and put on garish make-up. With their charm, they make us all want to run away and join their circus.

Highlights for me were a visually-stunning staging of Up All Night, a rousing Relight My Fire involving real fire, and the wonderful final song, Rule The World. As Gary Barlow sang “we’re lighting up the sky for you,” fireworks went off. How cool is that?

Take That continue to party at the Ricoh until tomorrow.

VERDICT: HHHHH

ROZ LAWS

http://www.birminghammail.net/news....3823620

THOUSANDS of screaming fans saw Take That perform at Coventry's Ricoh Arena last night (Monday).

Known as one of the biggest boy bands ever, the band sang all their classics and new hits to a packed stadium as part of their nationwide tour.

The Advertiser's Chief Photographer Mike Baker was given special access to the gig.

See a selection of the pictures from the event, by clicking on the play button on the right.

video
http://link.brightcove.com/service....1478001

http://www.rugbytoday.co.uk/news/TAKE-THAT-Picture-special.5347970.jp

Oh what a circus, oh what a show. Take That rolled into town with a lavish spectacle that was the top of the big tops.

With a giant red circus tent at one end of the stadium and a hot air balloon hovering over the other, the boyband pulled out all the stops as jugglers, clowns, trapeze artists and tightrope walkers appeared.

Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Howard Donald whipped the 40,000 strong crowd at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena into a frenzy as they took centre stage, opening their Circus tour with their No 1 hit Greatest Day.

They went on to deliver classics such as Could it Be Magic?, A Million Love Songs, Pray and Back for Good.

And they treated the crowd to some old dance moves showing they were as good, if not better, than first time round.

The lavish show continued with a silver mechanical elephant carrying the boys to the main stage as they sang The Garden. Drummer boys and showgirl dancers joined them for Shine.

The foursome then became a true ‘band’ with Howard getting behind the drum kit, while Gary took to the keyboards and Jason and Mark played guitar.

Their costume changes were rapid with the group at one stage transforming themselves into clowns during What Is Love?

The talented group even attempted some circus-style stunts. Jason, Howard and Mark all on unicycles, but Gary had the crowd in hysterics by riding a tiny bicycle with stabilisers.

After two hours, they finished with Rule the World. And judging by the reaction last night, they certainly ruled the crowd’s.

By Maria Cusine

http://www.expressandstar.com/2009....or-fans

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:22 PM on 10th June 2009

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A Take That fan wanted to experience the thrill of watching her favourite band live on stage but ended up being rushed from the venue to give birth.

Leanne Winter's waters broke before the band even arrived on stage as she went into labour ten days early with her daughter Amelia Affleck.

By the time Gary Barlow, Mark Owen, Howard Donald and Jason Orange started singing to the 50,000-strong crowd, Ms Winter was in labour at Sunderland Royal Hospital about a mile away.
Leanne Winter and Anthony Affleck with their newborn daughter Amelia

Consolation prize: Leanne Winter and Anthony Affleck with their newborn daughter, Amelia

Because the open stadium was so close by she could hear the concert.

Ms Winter said: 'I was lying in the hospital room and I could hear the concert. I heard Take That singing and I could hear the fans screaming. I heard the fireworks at the end.'

The 31-year-old said she was 'devastated' to miss the show - the opening night of a massive tour with spectacular set pieces including: the band riding on top of a gigantic mock elephant; singing in the rain with umbrellas; and dressed as clowns while riding unicycles.

A big Take That fan when she was younger, Ms Winter went to their comeback tour show at Newcastle Arena in 2006 and had been offered a ticket for their latest tour by a friend.
Take That at Sunderland's Stadium of Light

What Leanne missed: Take That take to the stage at Sunderland's Stadium of Light on top of a gigantic mock elephant

The show was close to her due date of June 16 but and there were no signs of the baby arriving. Furthermore her four-year-old son Sam had been born two days late.

She said: 'I honestly didn't think anything was going to happen. I didn't feel unwell.'

Ms Winter, from Sunderland, said she and her ten-strong group of friends headed into the Stadium of Light's Black Cats bar at about 6.15pm on Saturday but about 15 minutes later her waters broke as she chatted.

She said: 'I knew it was starting. I felt a mixture of emotions. I was happy because I knew the baby was going to be coming but I was devastated because I knew I was going to miss Take That. I was also a bit embarrassed because I was at the Stadium of Light.'
Take That at Sunderland's Stadium of Light

Spectacular: The band perform to an enthralled audience

A St John Ambulance crew on duty at the concert took her to hospital, where she was joined by partner Anthony Affleck, 29, a self-employed charity worker.

Amelia was born at 3.25am on Sunday, weighing 7lb 4oz. Her mother, a customer service adviser, said: 'She's absolutely beautiful. She's gorgeous.'

But she still hopes she will get the chance to see the band at some point - without interruptions.

She said: 'I would love it, especially hearing that they were so good. I was really looking forward to it.'
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news....at.html