Rufus Wainwright

EMMA LEE

> UEA LCR, Norwich

“This is a really cute town you have got here,” said singer songwriter Rufus Wainwright on stage last night.

However his tour of the City left him a little disappointed in one respect.

“The castle was more interesting on the outside. I was expecting at least some drapes. Maybe that's just me.”

Little had gone to plan for Wainwright's Norwich concert. The date had been moved, meaning that the original support band the Gillimotts touted as 2006's band to watch could no longer make it. They were replaced by songstress Imogen Heap. He also had to do the show without his backing band.

Wainwright looked liked a matinee idol as he walked onto the stage framed by a white spotlight. But swapping effortlessly between a grand piano and guitar the talent that has many a broadsheet critic in raptures shone through.

Without his backing musicians the crowd joined in on vocals usually sung by his sister Martha.

And his rendition of the Leonard Cohen songs Hallelujah was spinetingling.

Another highlight was I'm Leaving For Paris, which he recently recorded with Jane Birkin,

No backing band - but his passionate performance filled the venue.