Britney Spears Takes R-Rated Circus to New Orleans

Last night, a seemingly nervous Britney Spears, whip in hand and lowered on the scene on a giant trapeze, kicked off her much overdue tour, Circus Starring Britney Spears, in New Orleans, in front of the screaming fans. This was not just a simple concert, several media outlets are reporting: it was a frenzy of colorful dancers and eye-popping dance routines that left absolutely no doubt about one thing: the Pop Princess is back.

It would be rather difficult to sum up the 22-song set in just a couple of words. Suffice it to say that there were cops, ringmasters, military men and every other costume that usually makes the subject of fantasies. Britney herself, admittedly a bit awkward in her very revealing outfits, pulled off the impressive and physically-challenging dance routine extremely well. There was not only dancing: Circus has been described as a much improved version of what Madonna used to deliver fans on stage in her so-called “wild days.”

Just like with Britney’s former performances, there was no actual live singing, as the pop star lip-synched all throughout the 90-minute gig and only barely mouthed the words during the most challenging moves. Then again, it has been said, she was never a performer known for her vocal skills, but more for her incendiary shows – and incendiary Circus is, several media outlets are vouching.

“The show - which was produced by Kylie Minogue’s tour director - was split into four segments, and began in spectacular style with Britney descending from the ceiling on a circular trapeze. […] Her 2007 hit ‘Gimme More’ was given a martial arts theme, with the star performing alongside a troupe of dancing ninjas. Her collaboration with Madonna, ‘Me Against the Music,’ was restyled as a Bollywood routine, whilst her rendition of ‘Ooh Ooh Baby’ saw her placed in a box and ‘cut in half’ in one of a series of stunning illusions. Britney performed ‘Slave 4 U’ in a shiny, skin tight metal body suit, dancing around the stage to the roar of bursting flames.” EntertainmentWise reports.

The concert, labeled a genuine “visual feast” by the media, mixed both old and more recent hits, with Britney and the dancers changing costumes for each new track. All in all, Circus is truly the perfect example of how hard work and countless rehearsals can guarantee a hit show.