A NIGHT WITH JANIS JOPLIN THE MUSICAL

​SøEdited Team:
SøCreative Director: Chris Saint Sims ​

Entering the Peacock Theatre to Jimmy Hendrix Purple Haze really set the scene. The dimly lit  theatre in central Londons West End felt very swinging 60s, with the stage dressed in Persian carpets, Tiffany lamps, crushed velvet and boa feathers, taking me back to my hedonistic days as a student in london during its second hippy happening, the rave days of the late 80s and early 90s.


‘A night with Janis Joplin’ was more of a late night lock in with a bunch of like minded liberals, some friends, and an open agenda of what ever happens, should happen, it was a wonderful atmosphere. The stage was set for the evenings entertainment, and a heart felt encounter with the great Janis Joplin. ​
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​For my age group Generation X, Janis was a legend even at that time 30 years after her tragic untimely death. And when I have spoken to people of her time they will say: “Janis, wow man she was an icon, really she was it, we all admired and adored her”. The feeling I received from these people when asked about her was touching, as you could sense the sadness of her passing at only 27, and what a beacon of enlightenment with her radical personality. That sentiment has traveled decades, with the fondness becoming greater as the years pass, and new generations of individuals, odd balls, the non conformists have discovering her.


Janis is an underground constant and cult hero over half a decade after her passing.  Much like The Velvet Underground and David Bowie, Janis has and continues to influence musicians, artist and rebels alike beyond her times and in to the future. The beatneck queen of rock n roll, a title she would have been happy with, not conforming with corporate stereotypes that have become so generic in today’s music and celebrity industry. And man was she an individual still not rivalled in any form, with a talent that was electrifying, the first, and the last of her kind. ​

​Accompanied by a blues band, and backing musical dialog from the Joplinaires, and other legends Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Bessie Smith and more represented onstage by incredible live talents. Janis was so influenced growing up by these female singers, and into her own musical existence from these artists, who became her foundation. Most of these greats were commercially and socialy abused, leaving a bitter sweet current in this touching production. 


Hearing and seeing this live performance of such great women in  ‘A Night With Janis Joplin’ written and directed by Randy Johnson is a unique glimpse into the history of popular music traveled over 60 years, and still influencing  musicians and music into the future. It’s impossible to imagin music without the Blues. ​

​This emotional night with Janis is a ‘speak easy’ experience, emotional and  sensitively flowing between the 1920s blues soundtracks, up to the last album Janis made ‘Pearl’ released just days after her death. Tragically she never experience the accolade the world gave her after overdosing on heroin, ironically at a time when she was suffering with loneliness and isolation. It’s a bitter ending. Janis has the ability to really connect emotional with the world and the turmoil of the times socially, political and culturally, and we experienced this through our blessing to experience her music and performance. ​