Lorna Irvine speaks with Angie Darcy, the star of the hit production Janis Joplin: Full Tilt, about the show, playing the icon and the infamous '27 Club'.
Janis Joplin was the ultimate iconic rock star: a shy girl from Port Arthur, Texas, whose incredible bluesy voice made her an international star in her twenties. Sadly, her demons were never far away and she died aged just twenty-seven in 1970, following a well-publicised battle with drink and drugs.
Peter Arnott's poignant and fascinating look at her life, Full Tilt, directed by Cora Bissett, was first performed as part of the Play, a Pie and a Pint season at Oran Mor in 2013 to sell-out audiences, becoming an even bigger hit when it went on to the Edinburgh Festival last year. Now it's back again at the Queens Hall as part of the Festival to rock a whole new audience.
I caught up with actor/singer Angie Darcy, who portrays Joplin with heart, soul and that famous filthy laugh.
Hi Angie. Your performance in the original iteration of Full Tilt was amazing. What can audiences expect from this new version?
Hi! Thank you so much. We had a great time at the festival last year, so we are really excited about going back with the show this year, and in a fantastic venue too! As far as the show goes, we don’t anticipate too much change, maybe one or two extra songs will find their way in. It’s so hard to choose from Janis’s back catalogue - there are so many classics.
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We will have a new member of the band though, Jon MacKenzie from the Edinburgh band ‘The Holy Ghosts’ will be joining ‘The Full Tilt Boogie Band’ on bass, acoustic guitar and vocals. He joins his bandmate Andy Barbour, who we had already poached from the Ghosts the year before as Andy plays keys and harmonica for us. James Grant (Macanta) will be back on drums and, of course, the rather wonderful Harry Ward (Actor/Musician) will be on lead guitar again, and performing his beautifully poignant monologue. So a rather fantastic line-up of musicians.
Did you watch a lot of footage, interviews, etc. to get the nuances and mannerisms?
Oh yes! Endless hours of footage, documentaries, YouTube interviews, especially Janis’s many appearances on the Dick Cavett show. These are extremely helpful, as Janis’s vulnerability really shines through in those interviews, and it’s imperative for the tone of the show that I get myself into that mindset. I’ve read lots of books about her over the years, but to be honest, the biggest inspiration for me is to just listen to her music over and over again and watch the live footage of her performing. That’s where I feel I can get to the heart and soul of who Janis Joplin really was. She was truly electric when she was performing and that helps me get to the essence of her truth and her spirit.
Peter Arnott takes care to not romanticise Joplin or her situation. What do you think of people romanticising The 27 Club?
I can’t deny that I am a huge fan of many of the now known 27 Club members. I grew up on the music of The Rolling Stones, The Doors, and the old school sounds of the Blues that Robert Johnson gave us. These styles also contributed to the kind of music that Janis came to perform. When I was a teenager I was a huge Nirvana fan (I still am) and I am a massive fan of Amy Winehouse too. The 27 Club doesn’t end there though.
There were hundreds of other artists, roadies, managers, who were involved with these artists who too lost their lives at the age of 27. Gram Parsons (probably one of my favourite artists ever) was two months shy of being part of “the club”. At the heart of this loss of young life is something a lot darker though. The depression, drug and alcohol abuse, and mental-health issues that many artists go through are not a real concern to those higher up in the music industry or the media. Sometimes the artists are actively encouraged to pursue a life of hedonism in order to appear to be more “risqué” and sell more records. There is something extremely sad about this, and about “the club” in general.
Janis’s story was not romantic. She overcame many obstacles, both professional and personal, to have the career and life she did. It is just a real tragedy that there wasn’t support for her and the others in “the club” when they needed it.
What did inhabiting Janis Joplin teach you, in terms of your own performance?
To be truthful and as fearless as I can possibly be, onstage.
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Why do you think the same concerns are around for female performers, eg. sexism, focus on body image before talent, etc?
Sadly this will always be the case in the industry. It shouldn’t be, but it is. I really hate this “Body Shaming” mindset that seems to prevail in today’s society. It should not exist, and it has to change. And it doesn’t just affect women and young women, it effects men, and young men too. A great singer, a great performer, writer, actor should be able to let their talent shine through. They should not be judged on their jeans’ size or how pretty/sexy they might “look”. To me, talent and personality are far more attractive qualities in an individual. I think certain reality TV shows and magazines have a lot to answer for…
Were you a fan of Janis Joplin prior to taking on the role? How do you get into that mindset? She was obviously tough, but incredibly lonely and vulnerable.
I think it’s fair to say I was familiar with who Janis Joplin was, and maybe knew one or two of her songs. I wouldn’t have called myself a fan because I didn’t know enough about her as an artist. I was involved with a show called “The 27 Club” put together by my friend John Kielty a few years back. And he asked me to sing some Janis stuff (among others). I had to learn Ball and Chain, and when I listened to her music properly it took my breath away. I was amazed by the sheer power, and at the same time, the incredible vulnerability in her voice. So it’s safe to say I became a huge fan from that moment on.
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As to how I get myself into that mindset for performance, I just listen to her over and over and try to get to the heart of what her truth was and how she conveyed this in her music. There’s quite a bit of me in there too, though. There has to be, otherwise I wouldn’t be showing my truth as well. That’s very important to the overall performance, I think.
Who do you think, out of current contemporary performers, embodies the Janis Joplin 'spirit' most at the moment?
This might be your toughest question, I think! If you had asked me this a few years back, I would have said Amy Winehouse. Even though their styles of music were very different they both embodied that level of heart, soul, vulnerability and power. In all honesty, I don’t think there is a modern day Janis. Whether or not this is a good thing…?
Janis Joplin: Full Tilt is at Edinburgh Queens Hall from August 24-30 and Perth Concert Hall September 4-5.
Peter Arnott - Janis Joplin: Full Tilt: http://youtu.be/AGsNDXC6358
twitter: @janisjoplinshow
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