Review: TOMORROW MAY BE MY LAST: THE JANIS JOPLIN STORY at Old Red Lion Theatre until 11 June 2022

‘Fall in love with Janis Joplin all over again in this musical starring Collette Cooper’ ★★★★★ 

This is the life of 1960s rock star and blues singer Janis Joplin. 

Entering the Old Red Lion, the set immediately immerses the audience in 60s American rock festival, with a band, a dressing room full of Joplin’s costumes and star-spangled banners strewn over all the seats.

Collette Cooper as Joplin inhabits her persona, with a solo performance which gives us an insight into how the star was made, and the reason for her early demise.  If the show doesn’t grab the heartstrings straight away it isn’t long before we’re all rooting for Joplin in her struggles to believe in herself, to fight to be heard, eventually winning her place as a legend of all time.

It's kinda’ nice to think that even Joplin got kicked out of the school choir! I suppose she was just too big a sound for them.

Cooper as Joplin wins the audience around with her slow burn performance in tune with Joplin’s own development. When the breakthrough comes Cooper matches all the passion and deep feelings, all the pain and heartbreak, making the music sublime, ably backed by TSP band (Sam McDonal-guitar, Jan Simson-drums and Dan Malek-bass guitar). It isn’t just the excellent sound they all make, it’s also that Cooper continues to warm up her audience; talking directly to them, she hands around festival lights, and gets them on their feet. It’s no trouble at all, as everyone spontaneously joins in the dancing. No one had to get moving, it just happened at this performance.

There might have been too much use of the word ‘man’ but it’s easy to believe it was Joplin’s tag word used with almost every sentence.   It’s hardly a criticism with so many other goodies to enjoy, such as Cooper’s groovy rock chic costumes (with many changes), the free love vibe, the anti-apartheid message and Joplin’s deserved rise to stardom. The addition of a video screen backdrop brought an added dimension allowing footage of the period and news flashes, with Joplin’s sad departure from this life. It was very moving (choking back the tears). Fortunately, the songs continued until we were all smiley faces again.   

Go and see the show. You can fall in love with Janis Joplin all over again.

Images: Robin Pope

TOMORROW MAY BE MY LAST: THE JANIS JOPLIN STORY

Old Red Lion Theatre 24 May - 11 June 2022

Box Office https://www.oldredliontheatre.co.uk/TomorrowMayBeMyLast.html

Starring Collette Cooper as Janis Joplin

Directed by Collette Cooper

Featuring TSP band

Sam McDonald-guitar

Jan Simson-drums

Dan Malek-bass guitar

Generously sponsored by Southern Comfort (Janis Joplin's favourite drink!)

Reviewer

Heather Jeffery is Editor of London Pub Theatres Magazine