Live

Janis - Tomorrow Maybe My Last (The Janis Joplin Story): Union Theatre, London 28/08/21

Good to see a musical play tonight at the intimate environs of London's Union Theatre whatever was going down was genuine and contained magic. Tonight gave a sense of something religious was going on.

Collette Cooper, portraying Janis Joplin, was simply a revelation. If anybody was born to do this she was, the living embodiment! Her backing band were phenomenal too. They made a giant sound and had the stage fizz of an erupting volcano and could be deemed fine purveyors of crotch rock! Needless to say, they moved with her and she with them.

Cooper seemed to be in her element, handing out pieces of her heart like there was enough for everyone. There were some supreme moments of artistic largesse the uninhibited rocking and rolling jazziness and souling that had become her trademark and legacy were magically portrayed by this micro diva who was thoroughly engaging and totally got the spirit of the Queen Of The Psychedelic Blues.

Cooper was without any loss of intensity, suggesting willing self-discipline and channelling of energies. She stayed in control and invitations to hysteria notwithstanding, gave a scintillating performance. This play has got legs don't be surprised if it moves on and becomes a West End hit.
Words Emrys Baird