A Night with Janis Joplin by Randy Johnson. The Peacock Theatre, Portugal Street, London WC2 to 28 September 2024.

3✩✩✩ Review: William Russell.

“Unforgettable to say the least.”

In lots of ways this tribute to the Queen of Rock is a night to remember, but there are times when one feels one has had more than enough as Joplin, brilliantly recreated by Mary Bridget Davies, does frequently sound like a bathful of cats being scalded. The strain on her larynx is worrying to say the least. The real problem is that Randy Johnson has provided no coherent story line and Davies, in between songs, is almost impossible to understand as she tells us some facts about her life and her heroes – all, oddly enough, ladies of colour like Aretha Franklin, Nina Simone and Bessie Smith among them, and ladies who could sing not caterwaul. There is a first rate band, and the supporting cast is terrific, as in her way is Davies but she had to work hard to enthuse the audience the night I saw it – and not all were enthused, Some managed to fall asleep and the people next to me left at the interval. By the end, however, through sheer determination she got them to their feet clapping along and doing, since it was a quite a mature gathering, Joplin being a yesterday's star, what you could call dad dancing. It is all done efficiently, but Joplin is not to my taste which is a problem – if the Queen of Rock was your bag then go. If you want to see someone doing something remarkable, and Davies is certainly doing that, then go. But this is not a singalong evening and not one at which you learn very much about the life and times of Janis who died from a heroin overdose aged 27 in 1970 after a life of sex, drug and rock'n roll. Davies, one has to say, is a rather more mature figure than the real Joplin but she certainly conjures up the sound. For the rest, the set is the usual collection of platforms and a staircase, with back projections which add little and lots of spotlights to make sure whoever, mostly Janis, is singing can be seen. It is a night not to be forgotten, but one which really could have paid a far better tribute to its heroine by telling her story as well. Kalisha Amaris, Georgia Bradshaw, Choolwe Laina Muntanga and Danielle Steera, who play the various role models and her backing group the Joplinaires, sing very well indeed, which, of course, is what the ladies they are playing did - and the guitarists, Kit Craig-Lowdon and Jack Hartigan, get their chances to shine as well.

Cast

Mary Bridget Davies – Janis Joplin.

Sharon Sexron – Janis Joplin at some performances.

Kalisha Amaris – Aretha/Joplinaire.

Georgia Bradshaw - Etta, Joplinaire.

Choolwe Laina Muntanga – Blues Singer/ Joplinaire.

Danielle Steers – Odetta, Bessie, Joplinaire.

Creatives

Director – Randy Johnston.

Choreographer – Patricia Wilcox.

Musical Director – Iestyn Griffiths.

Lighting Designer – Rob Casey.

Projection Design – Darrell Maloney.

Sound Designer – Poti Mrtin.

Costune Supervisor – Jennie Quirk.

Wigs Supervisor – Suzy Barrett.