About Fiona Jane Weston
I am Fiona-Jane Weston and as well as being a performer myself (see website), I write reviews of and features on shows, mainly on the London cabaret and theatre scene.
I have worked in theatre for many years, but decided to embark on a new direction in cabaret in 2009, when I produced 20th Century Woman: The Compact Cabaret. Not wanting to neglect my love of spoken word, particularly drama and verse, I made the conscious decision to include these elements in the programme, as well as wonderful songs, to tell the story of women's changing status and preoccupations throughout the 20th Century and up to now.
I was invited to audition for the renowned Cabaret Conference at Yale, run by the late legendary Erv Raible, and that was thrilled to be one of only 26 accepted that year, where I was taught by the masters of the genre. Amanda McBroom (composer of the Bette Middler hit "The Rose" and the poignant "Errol Flynn"), Laurel Massé, original member of Manhattan Transfer, Sally Mayes, Tony Award nominees Sharon McNight and Tovah Feldshuh, and New York cabaret veteran Julie Wilson were all on the faculty. We were also treated to the musical direction of Alex Rybeck, Hubert Tex Arnold and the now late Paul Trueblood.
With the benefit of their insightful teaching and great encouragement, I took my show to The Duplex in New York, where I was delighted with the response.
Since then, I have produced Loving London: The Capital Cabaret, using the same format of songs, poetry and drama, in various London venues, including Leicester Square Theatre and The Crazy Coqs.
2014, the centenary of World War 1, saw the launch of Wartime Women: the Khaki Cabaret to a sellout house at St. James Theatre, London, garnering great notices, including from The Times and Musical Theatre Review. I have since been touring the show to Belgium and throughout the UK.
I hope these reviews and interviews entertain and educate at the same time, and if please do leave comments in the box. It's great to engage in a conversation about the Arts.
Fiona-Jane Weston
Joan Shepard, veteran English born New York based actress returns to London, this time in St James Studio, with her acclaimed show “Confessions of Old Lady #2”
Stefan Bednarczyk premieres his new Noël Coward show at The Crazy Coqs. BEDNARCZYK SINGS NOEL COWARD includes songs from the 1940’s, verse and anecdotes from people who knew and worked with Coward, including Graham Payn, JudyCampbell and the late critic … Continue reading →
Following a sellout run of lunchtime theatre in June, Butterly Theatre Company have launched a two-week season of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at St James Theatre.
Posted in Theatre Reviews
|
Tagged A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Butterly Theatre Company, Caroline Colomei, fiona jane weston, Hayley Cusick, London theatre, Lunchtime Theatre, Meisner, Owen Pullar, Paul Harnett, Shakespeare, St james Studio, St james Theatre
|
“Das Kabarett” takes the songs of Berlin and Paris and moves towards more modern-day work with strong story-telling content from Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave and Jacques Brel.
Posted in Cabaret Reviews
|
Tagged cabaret, cabaret history, cabaret reviews London, Crazy Coqs, Das Kabarett, European cabaret, fiona jane weston, Kabarett Kollektif, Karen Kohler, Leigh Thompson, London cabaret, Weimar kabarett, Weimar Republic
|
Hannah Davies in her self-penned one-woman show on Githa Sowerby, author of the extraordinary drama ‘Rutherford and Son’, currently playing at St James Theatre.
New fringe theatre to house drama, cabaret, music and comedy to open in South West London. They will start with a 6-week Festival. Read about it here
Romantic lead of Broadway Gregg Edelman opens his London cabaret “Broadway State of Mind” at The Crazy Coqs. Read review here:
‘Austen’s Women’ – Rebecca Vaughan brings to life no less than 14 female characters from Jane Austen‘s novels in her delightful one-woman show at St James Theatre Studio
Capital Cabarets And Shows Scene 