STAR of the stage and screen, Jason Donovan, comes to Frome next month with his ‘Amazing Midlife Crisis’ tour.
Jason makes his debut at the Cheese & Grain on Thursday 9th May, and fans of the former ‘Neighbours’ star and pop legend can look forward to an intimate evening of stories about his life and career, as well as performances of some of his chart-topping songs.
Ahead of his performance, Jason took the time to talk to Frome Times about turning 50 last year, his ‘Amazing Midlife Crisis’ at Kylie Minogue’s birthday party, and a possible return to the show that kick-started his career, ‘Neighbours’.
Have you been to Frome before?
“I’ve not been before, but I have heard incredible things about Frome. We have done a lot of shows – around 120 dates – so we are definitely prepared, but is Frome ready for us?! I’m looking forward to coming.
What’s it like visiting small towns like Frome with your ‘Amazing Midlife Crisis’ tour?
“The show is designed to be small and intimate. I turned 50 last year in June and I was looking for a different angle on my career. I thought something intimate and personal, with acoustic songs, smaller crowds and stories of my career would be ideal. I talk about all the highs, the lows, the anxieties, what it’s like to live in the public eye, Stock Aiken and Waterman, ‘Neighbours’, Kylie, drugs, ‘Joseph’ – it’s been like actual therapy, my own midlife crisis couch session!”
Tickets are almost sold out for your show, can you give ‘10 good reasons’ why someone should snap up the remaining tickets?
“I don’t know about ten, but I can give you one – entertainment! Listen, you never know the value of a moment until it becomes a memory and look back on it. In the 80s ‘Neighbours’ was the number one show, my music was in the charts – a generation of people want to reflect on that, it means a lot to them. The show is very much driven by the past – the past maps your future. It’s great to look back on that and share those experiences with the audience.”
What’s the most cliched midlife crisis thing you have done since turning 50?
“Got incredibly drunk and forget what I’ve done – so I can’t remember to tell you! Kylie turned 50 last year around the same time – that was a big night at her party!
“50 is an odd one, and like I’ve said, this show is almost like therapy and it’s helped me to reflect – I have a lot to be grateful for. I’ve not lost focus of my career, I have a balanced family life, three great kids, I’ve lived well. It’s not been perfect – I’m not saying that I don’t have issues, anxieties and fears – I’m normal, and I can use the stories I tell at the show to help the audience to get to know me better.”
Your daughter Jemma recently joined the cast of ‘Neighbours’ – so that’s you, your dad, half-sister, and now your daughter who have all been on the show – how does it feel to see your daughter follow in the family’s footsteps?
“I was brought up by an actor, my dad Terry Donovan, who was acting long before I was. You look up to your parents, and sometimes you take the same path as your parents – I did. ‘Neighbours’ landed on my plate in 1985 and it has mapped my future ever since.
“It’s a great circle to be in, to learn the craft, although this is not Jemma’s first time acting, she was in a BBC show by David Walliams, and was in a show on Netflix. But ‘Neighbours’ is the perfect ground to consolidate her future.”
Does it tempt you to go back to ‘Neighbours’? Your former 80s cast mates Annie Jones and Alan Dale – who came back as a ghostly Jim Robinson inside a Christmas bauble – both returned last year.
“I hear what you’re suggesting – that I should come back as Guy Pearce’s left earring! But seriously, never say never, but right now it’s not on my agenda. ‘Neighbours’ was incredibly good for me, and it has produced some amazing talent – Russell Crowe, Guy Pearce, Natalie Imbruglia, Margot Robbie – it’s a wonderful training ground. But it’s not something I want to do right now…but who knows.
It was the 30th anniversary of Scott and Charlene’s wedding last year in the UK. How did you celebrate?
“One moment that captured the imaginations of people last year was getting up on stage with Kylie last year at Hyde Park. But aside from that, nothing else. It was a ficticious, cultural moment that was very special to a whole generation.
“But as Jason, taking my wife out for a meal to celebrate, I’m not sure how she’d feel about that!”
You’re constantly performing all year round, singing all the hits – what’s your favourite song to perform and why?
‘Too Many Broken Hearts’ has to be top of the list. It’s one of those songs that really engages and resonates with the crowd, much like ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’ by Rick Astley. It’s a song that everyone remembers from that time and takes you back to a particular moment.
“But all my songs have been good to me. Music is special, it’s like a language. How lucky am I to have had four number one hits that have helped to cement me emotionally in the hearts of my audience? And it’s helped to put food on the table for my family!”
When your ‘Amazing Midlife Crisis’ tour comes to an end you’ll be returning to ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’ in the summer as the Pharaoh and you’re also a producer of a new touring production of ‘Priscilla Queen of the Desert’ the musical. What else is next for you?
“That’s enough! That’ll take me through to September. There is a job in Australia that I am soon to announce, and that’ll take me through winter. But life is good, I’m working and I’m happy.”
Tickets are almost sold out for Jason’s show at the Cheese & Grain on Thursday 9th May. Tickets cost £27.50 (plus standard booking fees) and are available from the website: www.cheeseandgrain.com or call the box office on 01373 455420.
