Bringing the best of Barbra Streisand with a twist

As the legendary Barbra Streisand turns 75 this week, what better way to pay homage than an entire show dedicated to the multi-talented singer, actress, director and screenwriter?

Describing her as “an inspiration”, singer Liza Pulman, best known as one third of the satirical comedy trio Fascinating Aïda, has been busy putting the finishing touches to her new solo show, Liza Sings Streisand.

From Evergreen to The Way We Were, Funny Girl and Don’t Rain On My Parade, the very best of Streisand’s incredible six decades in showbusiness is featured in the show and accompanied by Pulman’s six-piece band, The Stardust Ensemble.

“Barbra Streisand is a legend; her talent across singing, directing and screenwriting, and her rhythm as a natural comedian have all inspired me both on and off stage,” says Pulman of the great musical icon, who this week was credited as the bestselling female recording artist in history.

Like Streisand, Pulman’s foray into a career in showbusiness started young. Her mother is actress Barbara Young (Coronation Street, Last of the Summer Wine), while her father Jack Pulman was an award-winning screenwriter behind the critically-acclaimed BBC drama, I Claudius.

“There was a brief period where I fancied being a vet, but the performing gene was always going to get me in the end,” she quips.

From an early age, she loved singing and trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, before later joining Glyndebourne Opera. She also appeared in Adrian Noble’s 2002 award-winning production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the UK tour of Doctor Dolittle.

Now directing her energy into her new show, Pulman says she is keen to bring the very best of Barbra to her audience – and with a twist.

“I love creating new arrangements of songs people know really well and also introducing the audience to songs they might not know.

“Working with my band to bring together the best of Barbra Streisand’s songs has been a real treat and we can’t wait to share this with you!”

Liza appears on 8 May, 22 May and 12 June, 7pm, at Live at Zedel, Sherwood Street, Soho, as well as on Wednesday, 31 May, 7.30pm, at The Radlett Centre.

Details: lizapulman.com