Another golden night from the little princess

Kylie Minogue, Manchester Arena

POP princess Kylie turned Greek goddess as part of her Aphrodite Les Folies 2011 tour at the Manchester Arena on Friday.

Fans dressed in togas and gladiator costumes came prepared for a glittering night of pop hits and camp classics.

And they were not disappointed as the pint-sized popstress delivered a storming two-hour set filled flamboyant sets, fabulous dancers and hits spanning more than two decades.

Supporting Kylie on the UK leg of the tour, the Manchester crowd was warmed up by Leeds-based feisty female foursome The Ultra Girls who are vying to take the girl-band crown from current chart toppers The Saturdays.

As the arena lights dimmed, the audience went wild as Kylie rose from the back of the stage in a giant shell, like Boticelli’s The Birth of Venus — dressed as the goddess of love in a winged headdress. Kicking off with Aphrodite, the title track from her 11th studio album, she flirted and charmed her way through a myriad of hits.

Golden gladiators and hand maidens danced and gyrated their way through Wow and Kylie effortlessly performed I Believe in You while being pulled in a golden chariot by four muscley male dancers dressed in leather straps.

Quick costume changes saw her don fabulous black feathers and top hat for the disco-tastic Spinning Around and a star-studded halo and flowing white robes for a sultry jazz rendition of Slow, with dancers fanning her every move.

The show’s lavish look has been created by both Kylie and her creative director William Baker, originally from Wilmslow.

And it was clear to see that the generous £15million production costs had been spent on a bespoke stage with in-built water jets and fountains, as well as aerial performers, dancers, a live band, and a gorgeous array of Dolce and Gabana costumes.

However, anyone hoping to see a flash of Kylie’s famous gold hot pants were left disappointed as they had been replaced by denim shorts for a samba carnival section of the show which included Stock, Aitken and Waterman classics Better the Devil You Know and fan request Got to be Certain.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the production was the finale, a show-stopping homage to the Hollywood aqua musicals.

With aerial artists spinning on ropes and fountains shooting jets of water high into the sky, a resplendent Kylie rose above the crowds in a pearl swimsuit and sparkling gold bathing cap while performing last summer’s euphoric hit All The Lovers.

A perfect glittering ending from one of pop’s enduring princesses.