Broadway Hit ‘A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN’ Coming to London’s Peacock Theatre
Written by Tony Wilson on June 27, 2024
On Monday 24th June 2024 a small group of rock media people & journalists gathered in a venue beneath London’s Picadilly for a preview of A Night with Janis Joplin…
and what a night it was!
We were treated to several electrifying performances by Tony Award nominated singer Mary Bridget Davies and her amazing backing band and singers, interspersed with film clips of Janis and some of the trailblazing performers who inspired her, and a fascinating insight into her childhood and early years in Q&A with her brother Michael Joplin, conducted by the evening’s host Claire Sturgess.
“This show is an absolute must-see for all, whether you were there at the time or you wish you’d been there at the time, now’s your chance to immerse yourself in an evening of glorious music and pay tribute to one of rock’s true originals.”
A Night With Janis Joplin wil play at London’s Peacock Theatre for a limited run from 21 August – 28th September 2024.
Tickets priced from £18 are available from the Peacock Theatre box office: 020 7863 8222 or by emailing [email protected]
This short video clip in no way does justice to Mary Bridget Davies’ powerful performance, but if you close your eyes you might just be back in 1969.
A Night With Janis Joplin is a musical journey celebrating Janis Joplin and her biggest musical influences – trailblazers like Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Odetta, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith, all of whom inspired Joplin to become one of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s greatest legends. Like a comet that burns far too brightly to last, Joplin exploded onto the music scene in 1967 and, almost overnight, became the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Her unmistakable voice, filled with raw emotion and tinged with Southern Comfort, made Joplin a must-see headliner from Monterey to Woodstock. Audiences will enjoy Joplin’s favourites, including ‘Piece of My Heart,’ ‘Cry Baby’, ‘Me and Bobby McGee’ and many others.
A Night With Janis Joplin began in 2011 and was an immediate success, touring for the next 2 years and breaking box office records at nearly every theatre. In October 2013, the show opened on Broadway at the Lyceum Theatre to rave reviews and has been touring the US ever since. The show also played in Japan in 2022 at the Tokyo International Forum Hall. Mary Bridget Davies played the role of Janis Joplin for both the touring and Broadway productions, receiving a Tony Award® nomination for Best Lead Actress in a Musical for her performance.
Janis Joplin’s sister, Laura Joplin, says the show is a “full belted memory that drives joy into my heart and tears from my eyes” with The New York Times saying the show “rocks the house with a fervour that is riveting”.
A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN is directed by Randy Johnson, choreography by Patricia Wilcox. Allison Coyne will be the Associate Director, with musical supervision and musical direction by Lestyn Griffiths. Casting is by Anne Vosser.
Credits:
Randy Johnson (creator, writer and director) made his Broadway debut as a playwright and director with Tony Award nominated musical A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN at the Lyceum Theatre. At the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and on Broadway at the Longacre Theatre, Randy directed and co-wrote The World Premiere of Mike Tyson – The Undisputed Truth, starring international sports legend Mike Tyson and directed and staged Carly Simon’s return to the concert stage at The Apollo Theatre in New York. Randy also co- conceived and directed the now historic ELVIS THE CONCERT, which reunited Elvis’ original band, singers and musical director in a virtual interactive concert featuring Elvis. The show was an immediate hit, with sold out shows at Radio City Music Hall and arenas worldwide including Wembley and the O2 Arena. Other regional theatre credits include the world premieres of Jukebox Hero – The Foreigner Musical (Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto). He was honored twice by the NAACP for his direction on Shout Sister Shout – The Rosetta Tharpe Story (Pasadena Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theatre).
Mary Bridget Davies is a distinguished American singer and actress who has made musical history with her powerhouse vocals and captivating performances. Davies’ accolades include the 2014 LA Outer Critic’s Circle Award and Theatre World Award, alongside a Helen Hayes Award nomination and numerous Blues Blast Award nominations. In 2019, Davies recorded her album Stay With Me: The Reimagined Songs of Jerry Ragovoy, the late legendary songwriter who co-wrote Joplin classics ‘Piece of my Heart’ and ‘Cry Baby’. Davies’ career has also included touring with Janis Joplin’s original band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, starring as Virginia Wolf in the developmental readings of A Room of One’s Own (54 Below and The Public Theatre’s Joe’s Pub), and Narrator in Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Beck Theatre). Currently, Davies is set to embark on the soon to be announced U.S. leg of her tour Don’t Compromise Yourself.
Website: www.janisjoplin.com
Instagram: @janisjoplin
X: @janisjoplin
Facebook: @janisjoplin
TikTok: @janisjoplin
