UK Theatre Network

Jolson & Co: The Musical

Reviewed at Theatre Royal, Newcastle

The life of legendary performer Al Jolson is being played out on the stage in the sensational bio-musical, Jolson & Co.

 Known as ‘the world’s greatest entertainer’, Jolson was arguably the most successful star of the first half of the twentieth century. By 1920, he was America’s most famous and highest paid entertainer and he took the leading role in the first ‘talking picture’, The Jazz Singer in 1927. His life, however, was born of humble origins.

Asa Yoelson was born in Lithuania in 1886, the fourth child of Moses Reuben Yoelson and his wife Naomi. When he was eight the family emigrated to America, and by the time he was eleven he had been bitten by the showbiz bug and was singing, with his brother Hirsch, for coins on street corners.

Allan Stewart gives a breath-taking performance as Jolson in this stylish and sophisticated production. His voice is exquisite, full and powerful as he belts out Jolson’s biggest show-stoppers.

The show cleverly takes the format of an interview between Jolson and radio presenter Barry Gray at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theater in 1949. Significant events in his life are reconstructed in the form of flashbacks, revealing to the audience that it was not entirely made up of only glamour and glitz.

Indeed, Jolson’s personal life provides plenty of dramatic content and Stewart’s skilful performance reveals a man who needed constant reassurance from his adoring public, a man capable of loving an audience of thousands and yet unable to give himself to only one woman. Indeed, Al Jolson, it seems, was seduced by his own fame, wealth and success and spiralled into an egotistical, domineering control freak.

Only three performers appear on stage throughout this high-calibre show – Stewart, as Jolson, and his co-stars Donna Steele and Christopher Howell, who both play in excess of eight roles each.

Miss Steele is a talented actress, singer and dancer who is compelling to watch. She plays Jolson’s mother, three of his wives and Hollywood actress Mae West, too. Every character is successfully honed and so carefully drawn that you really are not conscious of the fact that they are all being portrayed by just one actress. Likewise, Christopher Howell plays a multitude of male characters, also with great aplomb.

Credit should also be paid to Chris Hayward who, as Head of Wardrobe and Costume Supervisor, adds an authoritative air of authenticity with a fabulous array of costumes and shoes.

Designer Morgan Large has provided a simple but highly effective stage that, rather than detracting from the drama, subtly enhances it

The inclusion of musical numbers including ‘Babyface’, ‘My Mammy’, ‘Swanee’ and ‘California, Here I Come’ gives the audience plenty of opportunity for tapping their feet and singing along, and concludes the show on a happy, nostalgic note. Miss it at your peril!

Steve Burbridge.

Jolson & Co: The Musical is at Theatre Royal, Newcastle, until Saturday 18^th April 2009.