Barbara could do what she liked, just like you and I can.

As I remember she really made her non-folky name through appearing on the stage in a Willy Russell play (Blood Brothers or John Paul George Ringo and Bert I forget which). She then had a hit with "Another Suitcase, Another Hall".

She had a choice as I see it between making a living doing music and struggling to make a living as a folk singer as most do, supplmenting her festival and club income with a variety of other work - all of which has to be researched, practised and rehearsed.

She was a professional singer, end of story.

It happens all the time, I believe another well-known folk singer is currently rehearsing for a stage appearance. Whatever happens and comes of this, good like to him.