Our debut theatre piece Tomorrow May Be My Last is the story of the first queen of rock, Janis Joplin, written and performed by Collette Cooper.
Tomorrow May Be My Last is a one woman play, driven by her music, performed with a live band and set in a festival in the late 60’s. Janis is an emotionally charged production that captures her funny energetic personality while exploring the dangerous path of excess her free spirit took her down.
Collette portrays an iconic artist by delving deeply into the inner turmoil that drove and ultimately destroyed her. It tells the story as raw and honest as her voice, as gut-wrenching as her music, and as vivid as her memory.
The show features some of her best loved songs and also an original track, ‘Tomorrow May Be My Last’ written by Collette Cooper and Mike Hanson, available now on Bandcamp and has been played on BBC Radio including by Chris Hawkins on 6 Music and Jo Good and Gaby Roslin on BBC Radio London
In 2019 Collette wrote Tomorrow May Be My Last and a read through was staged in March 2020 just before the Pandemic shut theatres around the world. The read through included the first public performance of the original title track.
In 2021, Tomorrow May Be My Last was in a year of development at various venues, including the Union Theatre in Southwark which was directed by Collette and co-directed by Niall Phillips. Many ideas were tested, including additional actors and brilliant dance routines, choreographed by our dear friend, Dame Arlene Phillips, but the emotional centre of the play soon emerged after Collette realised that the play was lacking pathos. The early part of 2022 was devoted to rewrites with new and fresh ideas; therefore, the new focus of Janis’ introspection came to the fore. Tomorrow May Be My Last was then premiered at the historic Old Red Lion Theatre in Angel, London in May 2022, with the incredible live band, TSP, directed by Collette.
This production is not associated with the Estate of Janis Joplin
Tomorrow May Be My Last returns to the historic Old Red Lion Theatre, Angel, London by popular demand for an unprecedented three-month residency from February 14 - May 6 2023. All the elements of a West End show in an intimate, affordable setting with a complimentary Southern Comfort cocktail with every ticket! Tickets available now at oldredliontheatre.co.uk
CLICK HERE TO READ THE REVIEWS
CLICK HERE TO READ INTERVIEWS WITH COLLETTE
Nominated for FOUR Off West End Awards:
Best Production
Best Performance for Collette Cooper
Best Set Design for Collette Cooper
Best Costumes for Amanda Newall
WINNER
Best Solo Show Written by Peformer
London Pub Theatres
Standing Ovation Award
“Tomorrow May Be My Last is simply electrifying!”*****
-The Reviews Hub
In an era of oppression, rebellion, evolution and enlightenment, this is the story of a small-town girl’s remarkable journey, from an adolescent outcast to a musical icon.
The true essence of the legendary 1960’s rock star Janis Joplin’s is captured and channelled by the critically-acclaimed, renowned singer-songwriter and actor Collette Cooper, in this one-woman story with a breath-taking live band and a whole host of surprises thrown in for good measure.
Set against the backdrop of a Woodstock-vibe music festival in the height of the Summer of Love and backstage in her dressing room, Tomorrow May Be My Last marks a key moment in Janis Joplin’s all too brief existence: Collette Cooper’s embodiment of the psychedelic rock idol is deep and complex, painted with dark humour and glimmers of hope that candidly reveal Joplin’s troubled genius.
This astounding production features all of Joplin’s greatest hits (alongside original material), performed by Cooper and directed by award-winning director Niall Phillips, featuring some of the UK’s best session musicians - TSP, and choreographed by Dame Arlene Phillips – the result is a charged atmosphere, filled with liberal euphoria!
WRITER, DIRECTOR & STAR
COLLETTE COOPER
Collette is an award-winning, mulit-talented artist, performer and activists, and has extensive experience in theatre, film, production, writing, broadcasting and music.
She’s worked with the likes of Jane Campion, Michael Winterbottom, Martina Amati, and Samantha Morton to name a few.
Her music has been played regularly on BBC Radio 2, 6 Music, BBC London, JazzFM, and Soho Radio and has performed at all the leading Blues and Jazz venues in London and around the UK.
Along with her own blues and jazz show on Soho Radio “Late Night with Collette” she is now in production with a podcast series focusing on Women in Blues and Jazz called “Sisters in The Shadows”.
Collette performs for several major charity and fashion events and is an ambassador for the Nordoff Robbins musical therapy charity. She is also a keen activist to save the planet and her most recent work of art “Endangered” was exhibited in the NOW Exhibition promoting the campaign for zero plastic, and is currently on display at the Century Club in London.
Collette has a wide range of contacts around the arts and media world and has a great eye for talent. And she’s a mean Netball player who likes to practice her scales while shooting hoops.
GUITAR & CO- MUSICAL DIRECTOR
JACK PARRY
Jack is a lead guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and sound engineer working in live and studio settings, including iconic spaces such as Abbey Road Studios, Shepherd’s Bush Empire and the Kentish Town Forum. He’s also a member of the TSP Session Band.
DRUMS
JAN SIMSON
Jan is a drummer and percussionist and studied music at BIMM London. He is a member of the TSP Session Band. He’s been working as a recording and touring artist since 2010 for various bands, artists, and orchestras.
BASS
DANIEL MALEK
Dan is a London based session bass player, recording and touring since 2010 with a variety of musicians and bands . He is also a member of the TSP Session band.
GUITAR
SAM MCDONALD
(Understudy)
Sam is a freelance guitarist, composer and producer originally from Brighton and currently based in West London. After completing his degree in Music Performance and Recording from London College of Music, he has played and composed in an array of styles and genres for REDCAT Creative, The Beck Theatre and a host of artists all over London and the South East.
Sam performs the music for all matinees.
JANIS
SAM CARLYLE
(Understudy)
Sam is a musical theatre actress represented by the brilliant Avenue Agents and is a huge Dr Pepper enthusiast!
Theatre Credits include; ‘It’s A Wonderful Life: The Radio Play’ (Cambridge), What Would Julie Do?’ (Above the Stag), ‘Sam Carlyle: My Life and Other Jokes’ (Various UK Fringe Venues) ‘Miracle on 34th Street: The Radio Musical’ (Town and Gown) and ‘The Full Monty: The Musical’ (The Old Joint Stock)
Sam works regularly as a compere and choreographer, (most recently choreography Awkward Productions ‘Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story’ which is touring the UK this year) and has recently dipped her toe in stand-up comedy.
Sam takes the lead for all matinee performances.
PRODUCER & MUSICAL DIRECTOR
MIKE HANSON
Mike is a musician, song writer, broadcaster, producer and writer. He spent the majority of his career in radio, primarily BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music before setting up Thelonious Punk Productions with Collette Cooper in 2019 to create music, theatre, podcasts, and other creative ventures.
PRODUCER
GEORGE HUDSON
George is the owner of Soho Live which runs Piano Bar Soho and the Boulevard jazz clubs in London
ASSISTANT PRODUCER
ADAM RAPHAEL
Adam is an actor, writer, and producer.
ASSOCIATE PRODUCER
DEJ MAHONEY
Dej is a top level media lawyer with extensive experience in the arts, particularly theatre.
THE COMPANY
Writer & Director: Collette Cooper
Musical Directors: Mike Hanson & Jack Parry
Sound Design and Visuals: Mike Hanson
Additional voices: Damian Escayg, Star Eddy, Nigel Heath, Nick Patrick, Mike Hanson Sr
Lighting Design: Dan Foggio
Costumes: Amanda Newall
Stage Manager: Sharath Chandra Cheeti
Producers: Mike Hanson, Collette Cooper, George Hudson, Helen Devine, and Damien Devine
Assistant Producer: Adam Raphael
Associate Producer: Dej Mahoney
Press: Chloe Nelkin Consulting
Marketing: Rhea Mehmet
Casting: Claire Bleasdale CDG
REVIEWS
‘Tomorrow May Be My Last is simply electrifying! Collette Cooper doesn’t just play Janis Joplin – she becomes her before our very eyes! It’s a brilliant script – brilliant because it feels unscripted.’
The Reviews Hub*****
“Cooper who also wrote and directed the piece, sings magnificently and perfectly embodies the singer. Tomorrow May Be My Last is a tight, energetic full-on piece of theatre….’”
London Theatre1*****
‘Tomorrow May Be My Last is a musical, anecdotal and devastatingly emotional journey through the life and career of Janis Joplin. The feel-good factor is off the scale!’
The Spy In the Stalls*****
“Cooper captures the raucous, charismatic and defiant spirit of Joplin in a tour de force performance.”
Camden New Journal *****
‘Cooper matches all the passion and deep feelings, all the pain and heartbreak…’*****
London Pub Theatre Magazine
“This piece is written with honesty and integrity, speaking from the heart of the era and from Janis Joplin herself. Expect to be immersed in the birth of the Age of Aquarius - come dressed for the occasion! Collette Cooper (Janis Joplin) has you in her grasp from the moment she takes the stage.”
Fairy Powered Productions *****
“Cooper is outstanding - you see Janis stripped bare and this was so well down that I felt tears hover before I was once again transported into the fabulous world of Janis on stage.”
Angrybaby *****
“To say that Cooper embodies Janis would be an understatement - she is possessed by her and through her passionate, powerful performance we are brought as close as it is possible to get to an intimate, intense evening with our heroine. The passion of Collette Cooper’s performance is astonishing, it’s almost exhausting to watch as she moves from pathos to ballsy rock and roll without ever missing a beat.”
The Peg ****
“A powerful performance by Collette Cooper. She manages to make the small Union Theatre feel like a vast stadium: The music is brash and ballsy and faithful to the original, and it’s as close as any of us are going to get to a real Janis Joplin concert.”
Everything Theatre ***
“Collette Cooper, portraying Janis Joplin, was simply a revelation. If anyone was born to do this, she was. There were some supreme moments of artistic largesse. This play has got legs. Don’t be surprised if it moves on and becomes a huge West End hit.”
Blues and Soul Magazine*****
“Collette Cooper becomes the superstar. Cooper’s characterisation is impressive, nailing the mannerisms and the distinctive cackle uncannily. All the classics are re-created with energy, passion, and skill. Cooper’s voice is outstanding and does make you feel like Joplin is resurrected from the dead.”
Musical Theatre Review***
