Janis Joplin was a legend. Her music is instantly recognisable – play “Piece of My Heart” or “Mercedes Benz,” and even if people can’t name the song, they’ll say, “Oh, of course I know that one!”
Tragically, Janis’s life was cut short in 1970 at the age of 27, the same age as fellow legends Amy Winehouse and Jimi Hendrix, due to a heroin overdose. But now, she’s back – kind of – in the new West End production of A Night With Janis Joplin: The Musical.
Mary Bridget Davies doesn’t just impersonate Janis; she embodies her soulful essence. Right from the start, you feel like you’re in the presence of Janis herself. The look, the mannerisms, and then her voice – oh my goodness, her voice. Davies nails that gravelly, heart-wrenching texture that made Janis so iconic.
The stage is a nostalgic nod to the ’60s, with candles, little lamps, and a haze of smoke lingering in the air. Interestingly, no one smokes or even pretends to smoke, which, given the era, seems slightly off. But this show isn’t about pretending we’re in the ’60s; it’s about bringing Janis back for one more night of timeless entertainment. The wireless mics and the lack of smoking contrast with the period setting, but the music is on point.
Janis opens with “Tell Mama,” accompanied by The Joplinaires – Kalisha Amaris, Danielle Steers, Choolwe Laina Muntanga, and Georgia Bradshaw, who channels Etta James from the balcony. The audience, unsure whether they were at a rock concert or a musical, clapped along somewhat half-heartedly. Janis then shares stories about her early life and influences, leading into the introduction of another one of those influences. The show isn’t just a tribute to Janis; it’s a tribute to the African American women who inspired her, including Bessie Smith, Odetta (brought to life by Danielle Steers), Nina Simone, and Aretha Franklin (portrayed by Kalisha Amaris). And, of course, there’s plenty of Janis in between.
Mary Bridget Davies has been performing as Janis Joplin since 2005 and was nominated for a Tony Award for this role on Broadway in 2013. While American audiences likely get into the spirit with clapping and whooping, the West End audience needed a bit more encouragement. Janis’s attempts to engage the crowd often fell flat or only garnered a few responses. The show calls itself a musical, but it’s more of a concert with some storytelling. If you’re expecting a bio-musical akin to Jersey Boys or Tina, you might be disappointed. This show is light on narrative and heavy on music – a chance to enjoy the reincarnation of one of the greatest blues and rock singers of the last century, along with some of her biggest influences.
In the second half, Janis does briefly get serious, talking about her feelings of isolation and loneliness, and her fear of dying young, before singing “Stay With Me Baby” with a clear edge of desperation in her voice, as if begging the audience to stay. It was a particularly moving moment.
One thing I loved about Davies’s incarnation of Janis was the sense of improvisation in her performance. It felt like she was having fun with the music, riffing and playing with the songs, just like a true blues musician. Of course, it’s likely these moments were rehearsed, but they came across as spontaneous, adding to the authenticity of her portrayal. She did, after all, confess to being “just a white girl, singing the blues.”
Joplin was hugely grateful to the African American community for the blues she loved so much, often downplaying her contribution and acknowledging the deep roots of the genre in African American culture. I think she would have approved of this show, which celebrates the African American female artists she admired and felt she owed so much to.
A Night with Janis Joplin: The Musical is brilliant fun, and if you go expecting a rock concert with a bit of history on the side, you’ll have a wonderful time. You’ll find yourself tapping along to Aretha, standing up and singing with Janis, and maybe even throwing in a whoop or two. It felt so much like a live concert that I had to restrain myself from shouting, “We love you, Janis!”
Special mention goes to the two guitarists from the 10-person on-stage band – Kit Craig-Lowdon and Jack Hartigan. Each had their own guitar solos, which they totally nailed, and they clearly had a lot of fun playing together, even joining in with Janis at one point.
The costumes are dazzling, the Joplinaires are sassy and gorgeous, and Janis – well, she’s just wonderful. If anyone doubts Davies’s performance, they only need to listen to Michael Joplin, Janis’s brother, who described seeing the show as “visiting with my sister again.”
For those of us who didn’t get to share this earth with her, this is as close as we’ll ever come to A Night With Janis Joplin. So get yourself a ticket to this fabulous show before the short run ends on 28th September.
To book tickets visit www.anightwithjanisjoplin.com
Words by Nick Barr
Photography Piers Allardyce
