The third episode of The Theatre Channel screams 鈥淕irl Power!鈥� with Tina stars Aisha Jawando and Francesca Jackson performing songs by their respective rock inspirations: Tina Turner and Alanis Morisette.
Joining them in 鈥淩ock Musicals鈥� is Les Mis茅rables alum Shan Ako performing 鈥淚鈥檒l Cover You鈥� from Rent. If you haven鈥檛 watched yet, check it out
Below, Jawando and Jackson talk with 半岛体育 about performing on camera vs. the stage, their rock queens, and more.
How did your performance in Tina help you take on 鈥淭he Acid Queen鈥� from The Who鈥檚 Tommy?
Aisha Jawando: Tina played the Acid Queen in the movie adaptation, which was amazing! Getting to share another piece of life, so to speak. But how did it help? Of course the Acid Queen is a fictional character but Tina definitely brought her fire to the role, and from playing Tina on stage I knew that was something I couldn鈥檛 leave out. I know it鈥檚 nowhere near the same fire as Tina鈥攕he is the Queen of Rock and Roll鈥攂ut I brought what I had learned up until now.
What was it like to perform 鈥淯nforgiven鈥� in London before Jagged Little Pill hit the West End?
Francesca Jackson: 鈥淔orgiven鈥� is a fantastic song to sing, but I鈥檓 biased, I love anything Alanis Morissette! But this song in particular has such a gorgeous gospel feel. It鈥檚 a very emotional song that lets you really get your teeth into it. It was a privilege to get the opportunity to sing it here in London. I can鈥檛 wait for Jagged Little Pill to hit the West End.
Did you approach this performance on camera differently from when you鈥檙e a stage?
AJ: Oh gosh, the approach to camera and on stage are super different, but I found ways to marry the two. For example, when I had to look down the lens of the camera, I imagined looking directly into an audience members鈥� eyes as if they were the only person there. The intimate exchange of looks with the other characters felt similarly exposing though, but this time the 鈥渁udience member鈥� was right over my shoulder.
FJ: Everything becomes a lot more intimate. You鈥檙e no longer projecting a performance to the back of an auditorium. It鈥檚 all close up and personal.
What was it like performing a bright lights, high-energy number?
AJ: Brights lights are nothing but a chicken wing. As a performer, bright lights are everywhere鈥攜ou can鈥檛 escape them even if you wanted to. That was an element that made me feel right at home.
What does The Theatre Channel bring to fans in this unprecedented time?
FJ: I am so proud to have been a part of what [the show] is achieving. With theatre closed all over the UK and beyond, it is a fantastic opportunity for fans, performers, crew, and creative teams to have a platform to still enjoy what we鈥檙e all so passionate about. I am very proud of the whole team.
