AS JASON Donovan brings his Amazing Midlife Crisis tour to Bromsgrove’s Artrix, Standard editor Tristan Harris caught up with the Aussie star of music, theatre and reality TV to find out what tonight’s audience had in store.
THE CONCEPT for this autobiographical show came from Andy, a man from Birmingham, who had worked with Jason’s manager and suggested it could make for good viewing.
And Jason said, with him preparing to celebrate his 50th birthday and being quite reflective on his career, the proposal arrived at just the right time.
“I’m always looking for new ideas – don’t get me wrong, I don’t mind getting on stage and singing the songs or performing the same theatre show for several nights but if we can do something a bid different and make it more personal, that’s great.
“The good thing about it is it’s flexible.”
The show starts with Jason showing a short film he made himself before he talks directly to the audience, enabling them to interact.
Throughout the evening he talks about his life, sings some songs, shows slides and videos and brings out some costumes and clothes he has worn during his varied career.
Jason added: “When we took it out there we didn’t know how it would go down but people really loved it and we’re now 120 shows in.
“It’s gone way beyond how well I thought it would do.”
The Bromsgrove date, along with 15 others, is testament to its success and has come about due to the demand for more nights.
“We’ve deliberately chosen small venues in small towns to keep the shows intimate – I’ve been to places in the UK I didn’t know existed – it has been amazing.”
Jason added, as well as turning 50, one of his children had left home to go to Australia and another was preparing to go away to study and that had influenced the show which was often quite philosophical.
“I ask how success is measured and what it all means.
“We are all going to one place in the end and it’s about making the journey as pleasurable, as fulfilling and as loving as possible.
“I was 18 when my career really started and I haven’t really stopped since then – I’m quite a fit and active person and am no good at relaxing so this was good for me.
“I thought I had peaked at 22 and then I went off the rail with drugs – there’s been so many ups and downs.
“My career has been so varied as well – there was neighbours, a few hits in the charts, I’ve worked with quite a few famous people and been in some of the top musicals in the West End.
“Then there was the reality TV which can show a bit what people are really like but the programme is edited so you don’t really get the true picture.
“This show has a format but not a script and people can ask what they want on the night.”
Unfortunately tonight’s show is sold out.
Visit www.jasondonovan.com for more on Jason Donovan and the rest of the tour.
