Counter Culture

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

151 words, 1 minute read time.

Half a century after her death at just 27, Janis Joplin has become a legend. As a girl living in Port Arthur, Texas, she loved to listen to soul music. It became one of her biggest musical influences. As this production showcases, she could give any musical genre her own unique spin. Think of her interpretation of Kris Kristofferson’s country classic, Me and Bobby McGee.

This rockumentary tells Janis’s short creative story. It is interspersed with an energetic performance of many of her best-known songs. The performance is brought to life by Janice Smithers, a talented singer from Brisbane in Australia.

This was a crowd-pleasing performance concluded by a storming rendition of A Little Piece of my Heart. Members of the audience joined Janice on the stage. Others danced in the aisle. This was much more than a tribute to a legendary performer, it was great entertainment.

Reviewed by David Kerr