[Susan Foreman]

London 02 review at The Up Coming

"Spectators at the O2 Arena whipped out their phones to capture legendary rock star Alice Cooper as he hit the elaborately designed stage in his usual devilish ringmaster get up. The 74-year-old rocker and his lively band went straight into Feed My Frankenstein, joined by a giant monster during the epic guitar solo – two of many monsters and bombastic solos to come.

From there, the band launched into a succession of bangers in ascending chronological order: No More Mr Nice Guy, Bed of Nails, Hey Stoopid, Fallen in Love, broken up by a raw duet between Alice on harmonica and his guitarist, Nita Strauss. This led to a somewhat muddled medley that included tunes from the artist’s latest album, losing the musicians at times and lacking the presence of his more established material.

After a confused end to the first act with a rendition of 1971’s Under My Wheels, the audience was treated to a screaming guitar solo by the intensely charismatic Strauss. The American musician stole the show from the start with her ball-grabbing performance.

It seems like Alice Cooper has always been the same age – a fit 50. This show proved not much has changed, although a multitude of props and an attractive female guitarist helped deflect attention from his own more subdued movements. The rock star saved his best for last, allowing the band to create explosive energy throughout the show. No longer buried in harmonious guitar arrangements, Cooper’s ageless voice shone in his vulnerable rendition of Steven, as well as a powerful rock scream in Escape.

After three acts of wild Halloween-style madness (or “casserole of nonsense” in Cooper’s own parting words), the band burst back onstage to play undying hits Poison and School’s Out. They were accompanied by a confetti canon, giant balloons, a défilé of monsters and dancer (and wife) Sheryl Cooper, who also featured in the production.

A triumphant fusion of Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall with Cooper’s School’s Out ended the show with a bang. It was testament to the fact that the musicians could easily have held their own without the gaudy theatrical production, which included a huge baby, a ghostly bride, a beheading and numerous outfit changes.

Overall, the ageless rocker and his extravagant show, long postponed due to “the plague”, effortlessly delivered the screaming entertainment Alice Cooper is known for.

4/5 "