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Streisand Complaints Rise as Rain Falls |
The number of complaints following Barbra Streisand’s ill-fated Dublin
show has increased tenfold after an independent enquiry was set up to
establish what went wrong.
Over 1,300 fans have now complained to promoter MCD after fans arriving
to the 14 July show at Castletown House faced severe traffic delays and
waterlogged car parks. Despite Streisand’s performance being delayed...
 The number of complaints following Barbra Streisand’s ill-fated Dublin
show has increased tenfold after an independent enquiry was set up to
establish what went wrong.
Over 1,300 fans have now complained to promoter MCD after fans arriving
to the 14 July show at Castletown House faced severe traffic delays and
waterlogged car parks. Despite Streisand’s performance being delayed
for 50 minutes, some of the 17,000 ticket holders still missed a
portion of her set, while others, including holders of the most
expensive (€500) seats, found their seats already occupied.
“People had higher expectations because of the higher ticket price, but
it was still the same infrastructure for an outdoor show,” says MCD’s
Denis Desmond, who blames severe weather. “We had 50% more rainfall in
Ireland in June and July this year than during the worst winter weather
in 140 years – it’s been appalling.
“It wasn’t raining for the show itself but there was torrential rain
during the building of the site. It was no mud fest, but you’re dealing
with a different type of punter and in spite of the fact that we said
dress appropriately, a percentage of them were unprepared for it.” The
enquiry, led by ex-police commissioner Pat Byrne, will publish its
findings in the second week of September.
With July’s Oxegen festival also experiencing muddy conditions, it’s
been a difficult summer for MCD, which, like the rain, shows no sign of
letting up. “We’ve got the Rolling Stones this weekend and the forecast
ain’t too good for that either,” Desmond says.
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