Bette Midler isn’t sure if she is ‘strong enough’ to go on tour.
The actress is ‘willing’ to perform live again, but worries that after the coronavirus pandemic her fans may not be able to afford a ticket and theatres and other venues will struggle to keep their heads above water as things gradually become more normal after lockdown.
She also feels that other performers of her generation will be left behind in the post-coronavirus ‘shakeout’ in the entertainment industry.
Asked by The Hollywood Reporter whether she has ever thought about touring, Bette said: ‘You know the old expression “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak”? I still have interest, but I don’t know whether I am strong enough anymore.
‘And it’s a very hard question to answer, because you don’t know whether the audience will be there for you.
‘A lot of my friends have called and said, “You know, it’s weird, but I think I’m retired.”
‘It’s not like you announce it or anything, the parade just sort of goes by.’
She joked that things might not be so dire ‘if we had some leadership it wouldn’t be quite so bad — but we have none.’
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