After a fantastic CASTELL ROC last year at Chepstow Castle, with its usual mix of top-flights names and superb tribute acts, we can now look forward to a packed August programme.
Another big name is on the schedule and promising a night of non-stop hits, Chepstow will be welcoming JASON DONOVAN to the castle this evening.
We caught up with Jason recently for a chat about his visit to Chepstow on the 19th August. Of course, with a multi-million selling album under his belt, in the shape of ‘Ten Good Reasons’ we figured ‘Ten Good Questions’ should do the trick.
Jason, you must be looking forward to coming to Castell Roc in Chepstow, is it a place you’ve visited before on your travels?
“I’m really looking forward to Castell Roc, it’s always good to be close to water, I love it. Of course, I’ve been to Wales many times, it’s a beautiful place. I played in Cardiff on my last tour, but I have done shows in other parts of Wales too. Always a good audience too.”
So tell us what we can expect at the show – will there be lots of your hits, or maybe a few surprises?
“Yes, I will mostly be performing my hits, perhaps a cover or two. I love performing these songs, they have been with me a while and make people happy. Music is magic. Songs always remind you of a moment in time, and the moment you hear the song, you’re taken straight back there. Wow. Isn’t that amazing. So I hope you will enjoy the songs we have chosen for you. Please sing along loudly!”
Do people in the UK still talk to you about Scott Robinson in Neighbours? What was it like returning to the Neighbours set last year?
“Neighbours was such an amazingly popular show in the UK in the 80s that the momentum of it just carried it through to that very last episode. And now after all that they’ve started to make it again! We weren’t expecting that!
Anyway, I was only on set for a day when I was there, and yes of course, it was great to be back. Like it was yesterday really. It’s very special that it holds such a huge place in the hearts of the many people. You don’t get to be part of a phenomenon that often, so I feel very lucky that I was able to be part of that show at that time.“
‘Ten Good Reasons’ album sold millions of copies in 1989. Do you look back on this decade fondly? What was good about it as far as you’re concerned.
“Yes, it was the biggest selling album of 1989 I think! How fantastic is that? The 80s were indescribable for me. I auditioned for Neighbours for a different part and got it, but I was still at school at the time. My dad wanted me to stay on at school and finish my exams before going out into the world. I was very tempted but decided he was right. Then I was called back to audition for the part of Scott Robinson. It was at a time when they were changing the cast and a few roles were suddenly available for an addition of some younger cast members. You probably know the rest of the story here.
Neighbours was big in Australia, but in the UK it was massive. Just massive. At one point 23 million people were watching in the UK, that was more than the population of Australia at that moment! Being invited over to the UK to record Especially For You kick started my recording career, something I could have only dreamed of. Next thing you know I was on Top of the Pops with a Number One record. It was the most incredible time, as I said before, I was so lucky to absolutely in the right place at the right time.”
You seem to never stop working, it’s clear that you still enjoy it……
“I think all performers prefer to be working than not, that’s not just me! But yes, I am very lucky, I love to keep busy and long may that continue!”
TV programmes such as ‘Dancing on Ice’, I’m a Celeb, Strictly Come Dancing and ‘Who Do You Think You Are’ – which one was your favourite and why?
“They were all different experiences and I thoroughly enjoyed being part of all of those shows for various reasons, but if I had to choose, Who Do You Think You Are was just a great adventure. To come back to Australia and find out that even though my dad had been a £10 Pom back in the day and had emigrated to Australia from England, my family DID originate in Australia. I was really spoilt to have all those clever people suss out my family history for me! Fantastic.”
Are you looking forward to the 50th Anniversary Production of the Rocky Horror Show in Sydney?
“I was in Sydney in Jan/Feb/Mar to play Frank N Furter in the 50th Anniversary production of Rocky Horror Show.
I love that show, it’s been part of my life for a long time, and Frank is a dream of a character to play for an actor. Being back in Sydney for an Australian summer, being close to my family over there, on the same time zone, it was just a brilliant 3 months.”
What are you looking forward to about playing at Chepstow Castle?
“I don’t remember playing a castle yet! I did play at a Palace during Platinum Jubliee, but not a castle! Can’t wait!
What can fans expect from the show?
“The audience can expect a great live show, with a load of hits that they’ll be familiar with. My band are great, you’ll love them too.”
Finally Jason – did you know that Chepstow Castle (Welsh: Castell Cas-gwent) is the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain. Construction began in 1067, so might this be the oldest venue you’ve ever played?
“Ha! Yes, I think you may be right here!”
JASON DONOVAN plays the castle on Saturday 19th August. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start time. Tickets are £38.00 (Standing) / £39.00 (Seated) but be aware there are only 200 seated tickets available, so you’ll need to be quick. You can more details, and your tickets HERE
It feels like there hasn’t been a time when Jason wasn’t in our entertainment lives in some form or other.
His break came with the role of Scott Robinson in ‘Neighbours’ which turned him into an international star, gaining every Australian major award including ‘Most Popular Actor’. The series went onto to become one of the highest rating shows in the UK which led to Jason’s association and huge success with acclaimed producers, Stock, Aitken and Waterman.
I don’t think I’ll ever forget when I worked on the Hitman Roadshow tour (many years ago) with the major acts of the time – Big Fun, Sonia, The Reynolds Girls and of course Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan. Although they didn’t play the tour together, I remember our towns and cities being gridlocked with fans, desperate to catch a sight of Jason. Introducing him on stage was a challenge in itself with the volume of screaming fans.
His debut album ‘Ten Good Reasons’ was the biggest selling album of 1989 adding to impressive career sales of 13 million albums and 4 UK No.1 singles. Music was always a constant in Jason’s life, as was his passion for acting and theatre. This combination became a natural transition for what was to become one of his definitive roles – Olivier-nominated portrayal of Joseph in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’ at London’s Palladium. This sell out 18-month run in 1991 produced a number one single and best-selling soundtrack album, and is still known for being one of the most successful revivals of all time.
So let’s come on to a few of those hits just to get you in the mood……….
Jason has gone on to star in The Rocky Horror Show, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Priscilla, Annie Get Your Gun, Sound of Music, The King’s Speech and Million Dollar Quartet. He’s never too far from our TV screens wither. He’s featured in I’m A Celeb (2006) and Strictly Come Dancing (2011), Who Do You Think You Are (2011), ITV’s Superstar (2012) and Piers Morgan’s Life Stories (2012). He also appeared in ITV’s drama ‘Echo Beach’ (2008).
In a recent series of Dancing On Ice, Jason showed those younger contestants a thing or two, or at least he was until he was forced to quit through injury. He may have a year or two more experience as a singer/entertainer, but that seemed to have only helped his performance on the ice.
When we asked whether getting older has an impact, Jason told us……..
“Not for me. I don’t feel my age, I still want to be active and I’ve talked about this before; mental and physical health go hand in hand; this is one of the reasons why I took the job; it provides structure, focus, skill, keeping fit.
It’s interesting, ice skating and dancing because it combines two things, it combines entertainment and athleticism and very rarely do those things sort of combined together into a show”
“What I’m focusing on is the entertainment side of it because I want to tell a story in my performance and that’s my skill. And I think, I think I can move on my skates as well.
But I think what does help is, the components of being a performer sometimes and Strictly, that stage was the most awesome stage I’ve ever been on in my life, 11 million people Saturday night TV with Bruce Forsyth, it’s full-on and this will be a similar experience except it’s Sunday night.”
We know for a fact however, that he is most excited about getting back out on the road again doing his own thing. The ‘Even More Good Reasons’ tour last year was his first music concerts in four years.
He played all those hits we know and love back then, and he’ll be doing it all over again at CASTELL ROC, and if you’ve not seen Jason before you’re in for a great night.
JASON DONOVAN plays the castle this evening. Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start time. Tickets are £38.00 (Standing) / £39.00 (Seated) but be aware there are only 200 seated tickets available, so you’ll need to be quick. You can more details, and your tickets HERE
Finally, one of our favourite things Jason has done over the years is the voice for the Playstation game BUZZ. Seriously, we have had hours and hours of fun with it and he is really good as the question master. It’s a bit retro and old school now but we reckon it could do with a modern re-boot with JD in the role again.
You can keep up with all that Jason is up to HERE.
