When ELIZA JACKSON and Jamie Lambert met six years ago, it was a catalystic moment. “We were both a long way from home when we arrived at Associated Studios in London to do a postgrad course so we had a lot in common,” says Jackson who had trained in musical theatre at the National Institute of Dramatic Art in Sydney.
Lambert had come south from Newcastle. “We became, and have remained, firm friends. We always wanted to start a company together and now we are business partners,” Jackson explains, as she and I sip tea together at the Groucho Club.
Their production company, Lambert Jackson, made its debut at Cadogan Hall in August 2018 with There’s Nothing Like a Dame – 100 years of Women in Musical Theatre. It received a lot of acclaim including some five-star reviews.
The next show West End Women – A Celebration of Women in Musicals on Saturday 2 February 2019 follows a similar format and is at the same venue.
“We love working at Cadogan Hall,” says Jackson. “The staff are exceptionally helpful, friendly and professional and that makes such a difference. I hope we shall continue working there for a good long time.”
These revue-style shows comprise a series of iconic numbers from shows centred on a small group of well-known singers.
Founders of Lambert Jackson, Eliza Jackson and Jamie Lambert
On 2 February the core trio will be Rachel John, Lauren Samuels and Celinde Schoenmaker who will be joined and accompanied by a chorus of more than 60 young female singers from the Michael Xavier Masterclass.
At the heart of these concerts, though, lies a competition and performance opportunity which is what really makes them unusual.
Any female – and they mean any – who can sing and would like the chance to perform at Cadogan Hall with the professional trio is invited to send in a one-minute video link. The winner performs with the professional singers in one of the numbers at the show.
“We had 600 entries for the August event,” says Jackson, who listens to each of them before sending a selection to Lambert. “You don’t have to be professionally trained. There were people who worked in banks and shops, along with others who’d done quite a bit.”
Daisy Greenwood won in August and will be part of the choir for the next concert. “She’s extremely talented,” says Jackson, explaining to me that she and Lambert are both passionate about helping people into the industry by opening doors for them. “The competition is definitely going to remain as part of these one-night shows.”
Meanwhile, Jackson and Lambert each have parallel lives which pay their bills. Both are finding success.
Lambert is part of the musical theatre band Collabro which won Britain’s Got Talent in 2014. He is currently engaged on an extensive tour.
Jackson had an excellent run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe with her one-woman show The Voice Behind the Stars this year. “We sold out many times and actually made money,” says Jackson joyfully. “And my parents came from Sydney to see it and wept with pride through three performances which disconcerted other audience members somewhat because it isn’t a sad piece!”
She says thoughtfully: “I’ve never been so nervous in my life as at Edinburgh but the thing about the Fringe is that it does, in a way, give you permission to fail and the chance to learn how to make things work.”
The show, which Jackson wrote herself and produced through Lambert Jackson, tells the story of largely unknown, classically trained soprano Marni Nixon whose voice was dubbed in, almost anonymously, for stars such as Audrey Hepburn, Deborah Kerr and Natalie Wood in famous 1950s and 60s films.
“And today I’ve had the most marvellous news confirmed,” Jackson tells me over the teacups. “I’m touring The Voice Behind the Stars to Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in January and February. Sadly it means that I won’t be physically present at the 2 February concert in London but I’m sure I shall hear all about it… and there is plenty more in the pipeline next year, the details of which I can’t yet reveal.”
Susan Elkin
* Send one minute song video links to eliza@lambertjackson.co.uk by 2pm on 7 December 2018. The competition is open to all women irrespective of age or experience. The winner, who must be available on 2 February 2019 and able to attend rehearsals in January, will be notified by 4 January 2019.
SHARE THIS POST:
Comments are closed.