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There is an audience for everything - and Susan Boyle is the most successful female artist thus far of the 21st Century, so her audience must be profound, even if she is not really your cup of tea. Admittedly, writing an analysis of a journey into the overcoming of stage fright, which this is seems a bit lame: Lawrence Olivier notoriously struggled with this all his life, and if there is a flaw in this work, it is the fact that the issues surrounding her fears and apprehensions in approaching a live audience - repeatedly on a touring basis is not given a wider psychological basis complete with other notable case histories. The story is personal and therefore subjective and a shade bias towards someone who is as reviled as she is adored. But the story is obviously aimed at her fans and her fans are likely to enjoy it. If the numbers of sales is anything to go by, the DVD of this behind the scenes account will be as impressive as her sales record. The difficulties in her personality are well known. Coming from a small background in Scotland, Susan became something of a national heroine surprising everyone with her maiden performance on X factor. The YouTube visits are now the stuff of legend and Susan at the time - which is not that long ago, notoriously got Demi Moore crying with her bravery and spirit on the programme. She did belie her appearance and age which would be expected to be held against her on a talent show so, so heavily weighted in the favour of youth acts and boy band replicas. She infamously flirted with an incredulous Simon Cowell who was visibly shocked at the fact her voice was as it was. Simon has this very nasty habit of asking anyone and everyone over thirty why it is they have taken so long to make something out of themselves - the ageism is less distinct in the far superior The Voice. Besides, being able to sing doesn't necessarily mean the talent has to be made into a career. The DVD is really a mirror of her career: a triumph over tragedy story, which always plays well. Susan appeals to those who think that success will never come to them having hers come to her so late in life - or comparatively late (her middle age). This covers the story of the challenge facing her as she brings herself to her known audience abroad. A lot of women, just like Susan but without her singing skills in the US really have wanted to see her live and this has been a pressure. The trouble is that Susan has had her demons and these have had to be faced before conquering. The contributors are her inner circle: PA, coach, psychologist and manager. All of them put in their two pennies worth and are salutary, none admitting at all that there could be anything that is the fault of Susan in holding on to this fear for so long - she is at one point diagnosed with autism which is blamed for holding her back. She begins with/by going through her repertoire, but finds that when out under pressure to remember songs in succession, she forgets the words. With the help of a professional coach - who just really encourages her to take deep breaths, take it easy and prompts her with opening lines and phrases, Susan slowly but surely gathers momentum on carrying a list of songs in her head and learns to relax with it. Of course there are the inevitable tears before bedtime and the inevitable breakdowns and outbursts of 'I can't do it' followed by 'yes you can'…and the sum total is the footage of Susan being received by her fans outside of the UK. Really, it is amazing to see the following in one place at one time - the record sales just pass over the head until the sight of a filled stadium brings home just how popular this woman is and how important it was for this much troubled but gutsy woman to do this thing, and win. There's Something About Susan is available on digital and on DVD. Gail Spencer
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