Al Jolson show for Venue Cymru, Llandudno

Apr 16 2009 North Wales Weekly News

PLAYING the world’s first superstar is a daunting task but it’s a role Scottish entertainer Allan Stewart is relishing.

As Al Jolson he’s been wowing audiences up and down the country in Jolson & Co – The Musical which comes to Llandudno later this month.

“Jolson was the greatest entertainer of his day and it’s an honour to tell his life story and sing the songs he made famous,” said Allan.

Jolson was the first recording artist to sell over one million records.

He also became a Hollywood star. After The Jazz Singer was released in 1929 he starred in a further ten major films, and led the cast of 11 Broadway shows.

And off stage his rags to riches story and stormy private life made sure he was constantly in the headlines.

Jolson & Co – The Musical takes the audience on a ride through his life and features songs like I’m Sitting on Top of the World, California Here I Come, You Made Me Love You, Swanee and Mammy.

For Mammy, audiences might expect Allan to black up as Jolson did, but he says that although he wanted to do that, the producers decided against it.

“They were worried it might attract negative publicity, but in fact people have been asking why I don’t black up so it might be done in future,” he said.

The two-hour show calls on all his skills as an actor and singer.

“I’m on stage for the whole two hours so it’s quite demanding but I’m loving every minute of it,” he said.

“Jolson was an entertainer who lived to be on stage and to be honest I’m a bit like that too.

“Singing is the easiest part for me because I’ve been a singer all my life and the songs are so great it’s a pleasure to sing them.

“The acting is something I’m used to because I appeared in Jolson – The Musical in which I took over from Brian Conley at the Victoria Palace in London, then in Toronto.

“It meant that when I took this part I already knew the character well and that’s been a great help,” he explained.

In fact, Allan, who started his career at the age of 10 at Barrowland Ballroom in Glasgow and then in pubs and clubs, has a wide range of experience to draw on.

When he was 15 he recorded a single with legendary record producer George Martin at the Abbey Road Studios in London. He then became a comedian appearing on several TV shows including Copy Cats and Live from the Palladium, as well as hosting the quiz show Chain Letters.

He’s also appeared in three Royal Variety Performances.

More recently he’s toured in the hit play Stones in his Pockets and played Roger de Bris in the Mel Brooks musical The Producers.

Jolson & Co - The Musical is at Venue Cymru from April 20-25. For tickets, which start at £10, book at www.venuecymru.co.uk or on 01492 872000.