To honour Barbra Streisand’s 80th birthday, the Historic Documentary Film Society will screen her concert at Arrowhead Park, Anaheim (recorded live) at the Ditsong Military Museum on March 23.
Selwyn Klass, who is organising the event, described how many years ago Ster Films before it became Ster-Kinekor, had various complexes to showcase their movies, and it was at the Joburg-based complex, Ster-City, where he saw Streisand’s debut film, Funny Girl.
“These complexes were like showpieces, with beautiful plush chairs and huge screens with curtains in front that opened and it was all part of the dramatics of going to the movies, it was an experience.”
Klass explained that at the 1969 Oscars, for the first time in history, Streisand, who had just starred in her first film, tied with Katharine Hepburn for the Best Actress award – something that hasn’t happened since.
According to Klass, Streisand was never keen on giving concerts after she had stage fright performing at New York City’s Central Park in front of a large audience. “And she vowed she would never give a concert again, but she eventually came to [give] concerts, in a limited capacity, [as] with the one at Arrowhead Park Anaheim in 1994.”
Society is screening this concert because, as Selwyn put it, it is Streisand looking wonderful, almost at her prime, she is at home again with her audience and her repertoire is timeless and forever.
Along with hearing the beautiful ballads of Streisand, attendees can also expect delectable treats by The Perfect Cup and tea thereafter.
Details: Selwyn Klass selwynklass@gmail.com