by Rose Rushe
IRELAND loves Jason Donovan: five No. 1s over a couple of decades is testimony. Balance yourself for the wave of emotion that will greet the Australian (“I am still very proud of my roots”) when he sings his songs in concert at UCH on Friday October 10.
He is up on stage with a string of Limerick musical theatre guests who each have made good in the West End, an adult choir and professional 12-piece band.
Talking to Entertainment pages, this laid-back professional with a turbo charged career accents the personal in what will be his first Limerick performance. “I have been given a script that has played itself out over a number of years of my life. I can get up now with a songbook and weave my way through it”.
This October 10 gala concert’s banner, ‘Limerick’s Dream Will Do’, is homage to his ‘Any Dream Will Do’ hit from Jason’s West End run of ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’. He took on the role in 1991 and is credited with making the musical a hit there finally, his good looks, voice, acting skills – this man is in demand – and youthfulness presenting an ideal Joseph.
University Concert Hall is producing this big-bells event through Made in Limerick funding, City of Culture, and has booked a big band with Lloyd Byrnes and choir to showcase Jason and guests – each of whom has sung and acted and perhaps danced professionally – at their best.
“To me, this show is about being yourself, it’s not a musical theatre performance. I’ll be singing my songs and giving something of a story of myself in theatre and experience of the West End”.
As is Limerick’s embrace open to Jason and his multi-faceted career that continues apace. Book for ‘Limerick’s Dream Will Do’, Friday October 10, 8pm on www.uch.ie
