In the UK premiere of A Night With Janis Joplin, Sharon Sexton portrays Janis at all matinee performances at London’s Peacock Theatre, sharing the role with Mary Bridget Davies (who performs the evening shows), and the production is running until 28th September. Next year, Sharon reprises her role of Sloane for the UK Tour of Bat Out Of Hell alongside her husband Rob Fowler as Falco, who she met during her time in the original cast for the runs in Manchester, London and in the West End. Prior to the COVID pandemic, Sharon was playing Donna in the MAMMA MIA! UK Tour before theatres were forced to close, and amongst her numerous theatre credits, she was in the closing West End cast of Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre. Recently catching up with Sharon, she answered our questions about portraying Janis Joplin in the UK premiere of A Night With Janis Joplin, what Sloane is like to play in Bat Out Of Hell and being part of the MAMMA MIA! Tour as Donna before the pandemic.
You are currently starring as Janis Joplin in the UK premiere of A Night With Janis Joplin at the Peacock Theatre in London, was there anything that drew you to the role?
I will be honest and say that though I was familiar with Janis’ big hits, I didn’t know her all too well and when I was approached about the role, I did a bit of research and fell in love with her instantly – she was so vibrant and unique, way ahead of her time in terms of thinking, freedom, equality and reading up on her, I felt super inspired by her spirit. Also – her music catalogue is epic! So very quickly I knew it was a role that I would love to play.
How has it been learning the music and choreography and do you have a favourite song in the production?
The music is unlike anything I have ever sung for musical theatre, however, I have always sung with bands, rock bands, cover bands… I was a real “gigger” in my younger years and so a lot of that has informed the way I have learned this music – it’s very free, and jamming with the band is my favourite part – having that freedom to shape a song and sing it differently every time. Ball and Chain is a favourite moment, and also Maybe, which is a cover of a Chantelle’s classic. Of course – the audience response to Piece of my Heart is always electric too!
How have you prepared for taking on the role of Janis Joplin for the UK premiere?
Vocally, this role has been a huge challenge – I have been studying Janis’ vocal style and technique with a microscope – it changed so much during her short career, I have had to try and change the way I use my instrument to implement parts of it, and I have also spent a lot of time writing notes, diaries, reading biographies, and watching documentary footage to try and get to know her as well as I can.
What is Janis like to portray and how is it sharing the role with Mary Bridget Davies?
There is a real pressure when you are playing a real person – especially someone who is held so dearly still in the hearts of her family and fans, and so it’s been a total privilege to play Janis and one I take really seriously. It’s been great rehearsing alongside Mary, we are both such passionate performers and are so supportive of each other, which is wonderful. We are the vehicles, but are both very much on the same page of knowing that with this show, Janis is the star. We’ve learned a lot from each other’s experiences, and research and I think we’ve discovered some new stuff together in creating this version of the show too! It’s been wonderful.
What is it like performing at the Peacock Theatre and what are you looking forward to for continuing in the show, which runs in London until 28th September?
I love the Peacock – it is the perfect space for this show – so intimate, you feel like you could reach out and touch the audience, as if you’re having a drink and a chat with them in the living room, but also, the sound in the theatre is immense!!
Who do you think will enjoy watching A Night With Janis Joplin and why would you recommend booking tickets?
Janis fans will, of course, love this show – or anyone who was around in that wild time of the 60s/70s – it’s a real step back in time, but I also think if you don’t know Janis and you aren’t that familiar with her – you’ll feel like you’ve made a friend by the time the show ends, and a new hero! If you like rock and roll, soul, blues, loud music and enjoy having a rockin’ good time with some whopper voices and an incredible live band – this is for you.
Next year, you will be reprising your role of Sloane in the UK Tour of Bat Out Of Hell, how does it feel to be returning to the musical for a new run?
It’s exciting!! I adore this show – Sloane has such a special place in my heart and Jim’s (Steinman) music has brought so much joy in my life, that I am so pleased the show is getting another outing. Truly, Bat has broken new ground every time it has been staged – which sometimes meets resistance but the show is constantly evolving and finding new fans for this music and, to me, I think that is so rare and so special – I can’t wait to see what’s next in store for the show.
How has it been seeing the huge success to Bat Out Of Hell and what was it like being part of the original Manchester and London/West End casts?
Incredibly special – I’m so proud of the show and to be part of the original cast was such a wild experience – none of us knew what the show was going to become and it took a lot of creative minds, effort, talent and patience to try and bring it to life – it almost didn’t happen so many times, over 40 years, so I’m so grateful that the stars aligned for us to bring it to the world.
Is there anything you enjoy most about playing Sloane and what are some of your favourite highlights from working on the show over the years?
The biggest personal highlight will always be meeting my husband, Rob Fowler, but actual moments from the show, there are too many to count – meeting Meat Loaf was incredible, playing the Arena Tour in Australia and New Zealand, that first preview in Manchester was unforgettable… I think, creating the harmonies and melodies with Mike Read, our incredible musical supervisor, in the room, with Jim, for What Part Of My Body, is a moment that only now in hindsight I can look back and go – wow, that was a moment.
What was it like starring as Donna in MAMMA MIA! and how had the tour been going before theatres closed due to COVID?
MAMMA MIA! is brilliant, I loved this show and this role. Donna is such a great part and I still feel due to COVID that I have unfinished business with her so… you never know, I would love to don the dungarees again.
Do you have any stand-out memories from your time in the closing West End cast of Billy Elliot at the Victoria Palace Theatre?
The actual miners band, from the village, where the show was set, came on stage for our finale and played with us at the end and it was incredibly moving. I love how theatre can evoke those kind of breath-stopping moments. That was a special one – as I was standing beside Elton John in the wings. Mind-blowing.
Where does your love of performing come from and how did you get started in the industry?
I have been singing as long as I can remember – it was never a conscious thing, I just always did it and was drawn to performing even though it isn’t in “my family” but they were also so supportive – my parents knew I had a passion for it and it was all I ever wanted to do – so they were brilliant, they drove me all over the country, to classes, workshops, dance schools, shows, anything I could get my hands on and it just grew from there. I always had a very clear plan of wanting to get to the West End in a leading role.
What are some of your favourite theatre shows to watch?
Phantom will always hold a special place in my heart, as it was the first moment I saw a show of that scale when it came to Ireland, I also love Les Mis, most recently Hadestown was amazing, there are so many… Sunset Boulevard and Sweeney Todd are also ones where I get excited just listening to the overture!
How do you like to spend your time away from your career?
I am studying for my Advanced Diploma in Singing Teaching with the London Voice College and I am a mummy to our two-year-old boy, with two wonderful bonus kids and a big furry baby too, so life is full and busy and I count my blessings. x
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