A MUSICAL inspired by the life and career of a famous North Staffordshire songwriter is set to be launched in the Potteries.
Jackie: The Jackie Trent Story tells the tale of a young girl from Chesterton who later penned songs for some of the world’s most famous singers including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Shirley Bassey and Sammy Davis, Jr.
And Jackie herself will also be joining the cast of Porthill Players when the musical hits the stage at the Stoke Repertory Theatre in May next year.
Jackie, aged 74, who now lives in Spain, said: “It is great to be back in Staffordshire and be part of such an exciting project.
“I never thought in a million years that anybody would want to write a musical on my life story but it’s an absolute honour.
“I will be performing in the show and I am also in the process of writing two songs for it as well. I can’t wait to see the finished product.”
The musical draws on key points of Jackie’s life and career including her marriage to ex-husband Tony Hatch who along with Jackie, wrote the theme song to TV soap Neighbours and We’ll Be With You, when Stoke City reached the League Cup final in 1972.
Her first single Pick Up the Pieces was released in 1962 but she had to wait a few years to get her first hit, which was entitled Where Are You Now?
Jonathan Fernyhough, aged 47, of Hatton near Eccleshall, who wrote the musical along with BBC Radio Stoke presenter Tim Wedgwood, said: “The idea to write and produce a musical about Jackie came from Tim after we sat around discussing ideas for our next project.
“We both agreed it was a great idea to tell this amazing story of a local girl who became an international star.
“Although I knew some of the songs she had written, it was only when I started researching her career that I realised how many famous singers have sung tunes that were written by Jackie. We decided to contact her to see if she wanted to be involved in the project and the next thing we knew, we were flying out to her home in Menorca to meet her.
“It was really nerve-wracking reading the script out to her but her input has been invaluable.”
“We are all really excited that she is going to be performing in the musical as herself when it opens in May next year.”
“We can’t think of a better way to welcome her back to the Potteries.”
Three actresses will play the part of Jackie to document her journey from a girl to adulthood.
A special launch party was held at the theatre where Jackie met members of the cast.
Actress Catherine O’Reilly, aged 40, of Stone, who plays Jackie in the production, said: “When Jonathan asked me to play the role of Jackie, I thought it was a fantastic opportunity to bring Jackie’s story to the stage and find out more about this lady that was born and bred in Staffordshire.
“My favourite song that she wrote is ‘Don't Sleep in the Subway’ which was sung by Petula Clark but I will be performing quite a few of her works.It is really nerve-wracking to think she will be watching me on stage but I am looking forward to the challenge.”
Jackie: The Jackie Trent Story will be shown at the Stoke Repertory Theatre between May 11 and
16 2015.
Stoke Sentinel 29
October 2014
