By Niall Palmer
Cassidy Janson is currently wowing audiences with her powerhouse performance in the title role of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Last Sunday, Cassidy took to the stage with Carole King herself in London’s Hyde Park and their duet made the earth move for a hugely enthusiatic crowd. We spoke to CJ as she returned to earth at London’s Aldwych Theatre:
When did you know you’d be singing with Carole King in Hyde Park?
We first found out two months ago, but we had to keep it quiet. It wasn’t until the Friday before that we knew we’d be singing I Feel The Earth Move. The whole cast was on stage doing what we do in the show – Carole and I split lead vocals.
How was it getting to duet with a legend?
One word. Amazing.
How long did you have to rehearse?
It was very quick, just “you sing this bit and I’ll sing this bit and off we go!”
Was this the biggest audience you’ve performed for?
Oh God yes! There were 65,000 people – it really was incredible. Awesome. You work your whole career for an opportunity like that. I just told myself “enjoy it, or I’m going to slap your face!” Otherwise what’s the point?
Did you have many family and friends watching?
Yes, loads. I had two friends there on strict instructions to film the whole thing, or I would unfriend them – or possibly kill them.
Do you feel more nervous in front of a huge crowd?
No. In a way they become like one entity. Singing in front of just a few people is far worse.
Which other artist who would you love to duet with?
Harry Connick Jnr. That would be “game over” – I’d die happy.
If they made a musical of your life, who would provide the soundtrack and who would play you?
Peggy Lee would definitely provide the songs. I used to listen to her all the time. I love listening to old school jazz. To play me…the only person I can think of is Amy Lennox because she’s got that inner joy about her. She just appeared in Kinky Boots, and most recently Eugenius at the London Palladium.
Apart from Beautiful, what else do you have coming up?
I’m singing with Jive Aces on 7 August in East Grinstead for Summertime Swing with all proceeds going to charities the Not Forgotten Association, The East Grinstead Museum and Bluebell Railway.
See the moment Cassidy Janson met Carole King here:
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical is the untold story of the legendary singer’s journey from school girl to superstar.
The Tony Award-winning musical features King classics including So Far Away, It Might As Well Rain Until September, Take Good Care Of My Baby, Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Up On The Roof, Locomotion, One Fine Day, You’ve Got A Friend, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman and I Feel the Earth Move. The show also features hits like You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling, On Broadway and Uptown from songwriters Mann and Weil.
Now booking until 18 Feb 2017, you can purchase your tickets through us here.