Sunday, April 28, 2013

YOURS MAGAZINE .. APRIL 16-29TH 2013..

This article appears in the current issue of 'Your's' magazine which is available now..

Thursday, April 25, 2013

WHAT'S ON DORSET .. APRIL 25TH 2013..

What's On - Dorset - News - Theatre

Review: One Night with Joan

This was a special night for Joan Collins fans. Taking the stage at the Pavilion Theatre in Bournemouth the fabulously preserved and finely dressed actress gave an interesting performance, recounting fascinating tales and dishing out the anecdotes picked up from her many years on the silver screen.
It was a well-polished show, being the last night of her long tour. Her one woman show has travelled the length and breadth of the country and it was clear at times that our Joan had said it all before. However Ms Collins beamed as she talked of her happy childhood and her parents, going on to talk about her experiences in Hollywood. A highlight was hearing about her encounters with lecherous studio bosses and resisting their approaches even being warned early on by Marilyn Monroe to “watch out for the wolves in Hollywood!” Another gem of advice she was given was to use a stunt double for rougher scenes. This was good advice it seemed especially after a filmed fight with Linda Evans!
As she went on to talk about her co-stars in various movies a backdrop of film scenes appeared behind her. She loved Bob Hope and Paul Newman was lovely (who would disagree with that?!). Lots of other stars were mentioned and pictured. Treated to lots of her life stories, the audience laughed at the one about Peter Sellers turning up at her home dressed as a German storm trooper. His visit upset all the neighbours to such an extent that she and her husband at the time, Anthony Newley had to move.
Joan has always praised her husband Percy, and at the end of the performance he came on stage to read out questions from the audience. Joan says she hasn’t had any cosmetic surgery, but some advice she gave was never be without your lipstick!
And then it was time for her to leave.The long tour was over, and it was at last time for a rest for Joan.
For more great shows go to www.bic.co.uk

Monday, April 22, 2013

TIME OUT LONDON.. APRIL 22ND 2013..

Timeout London

JOAN COLLINS ON THE CATFIGHTS & CAMPERY ON 'DYNASTY'!!

As her one-woman show hits London, the legendary diva talks us through her favourite scraps from the '80s series

As her one-woman show, 'One Night With Joan' hits London, ‘Dynasty’ legend Joan Collins gives Alex Hopkins her top five Alexis Colby scraps from the ’80s show.

1. Alexis’s studio

‘My all time favourite was the first catfight I had with Krystle, played by Linda Evans. I’m in my studio and Krystle comes in and says something typically venomous. We’re soon hitting each other with pillows and the feathers are flying everywhere.’

2. Alexis’s atelier

‘Alexis has decided to become a dress designer and I’m in my atelier, in a yellow blouse and black trousers, when Krystle bursts in and starts fighting with me. We’re rolling all over the floor, feather boas everywhere, and she really goes at me, grabbing my hair and bashing my head against the floor.’

3. Queen Elizabeth I

‘I’m dressed in an utterly divine, pearl-encrusted Elizabeth I gown, which cost thousands of dollars, and Krystle and I are having a tug of war. We did this over several takes and eventually Krystle pulls the rope hard, and wins, with me falling face first into the mud. That gorgeous dress was utterly ruined.’

4. The lily pond

‘If I’d known that this was going to be so popular I’d have worn a better dress. As it was I had on a terrible polyester thing – most unflattering. Krystle was supposed to hit me, but before she connected the director was supposed to call “cut” and my double was supposed to go in. Unfortunately, the director didn’t call “cut”, so I got the full brunt of Linda Evans’s right hook on my chin. Now, Linda’s a big girl and she knocked me out. I ended up in the emergency ward. Oh, the perils of filmmaking!’

5. The mud hill

This was terribly difficult to do as we didn’t use doubles and I was in a very short skirt and consequently spent most of the time trying to hide my modesty. Krystle and I were rolling down a muddy hill, fighting, and when we finally got to the bottom we had to sit in this vile fuller’s earth. They then smeared chocolate on our faces and suddenly all these ants and bugs in the area descended upon us. We needed an entire team of people with fly swatters and bellows to get rid of them.’

One Night With Joan

Rated as: 3/5

Outdoors it may be grey and drizzly; the theatre may be in need of a scrub up; but onstage it’s pure starlight, as Joan Collins enters in shimmering skintight sequins and a head of hair with more volume than a My Bloody Valentine gig.

Leicester Square Theatre 6 Leicester Place, WC2H 7BX
Fri Apr 26 - Sun Apr 28

Buy tickets

SOUTHERN DAILY ECHO .. MONDAY APRIL 22ND 2013

Joan Collins is quite possibly the most glamorous woman alive.
And, for one night only, she will be sharing some of her secrets with the people of Bournemouth when she takes to the Pavilion stage on Wednesday.
The actress, best known for her role as scheming Alexis Carrington in Dynasty, is currently touring the UK with her acclaimed one-woman show, One Night with Joan.
Theatregoers are promised an intimate evening in the company of a true English Hollywood legend as Joan, known for her engaging wit and frankness, regales the audience with stories from her celebrated career.

She talks of those legendary bitch-fights with Dynasty co-star Linda Evans and screens rare film footage from her life.
Joan promises to reveal all about her screen test for Cleopatra and why she lost the role to Elizabeth Taylor, her on-set encounters with the formidable Bette Davis and many others, including Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Paul Newman and Richard Burton.
Her relationships are also expected to be put under the spotlight – the woman who famously said: “I’ve never yet met a man who could look after me. I don’t need a husband. What I need is wife!"
Her current husband is Percy Gibson and the couple live between their homes in Los Angeles, London, New York and the south of France.
As the brand ambassador and spokeswoman for a number of cosmetic, health and beauty companies Joan certainly knows her stuff.
She is also a big name in the fashion world, but has previously spoken of her lack of enthusiasm for many of today’s designers.
“Clothes today are not flattering to the average woman,” she told Saga magazine recently. “I come from an era in which a dress was made to flatter a woman. Now the woman has to make the dress look good. “Unless you’re 5ft 10in, 25 and weigh seven stone, you can’t look good in those things. You look stupid.”
But Joan admits she still feels the pressure to maintain a perfect hourglass figure, revealing at the launch of her show that she has pretty much spent her entire life on a diet, once even being prescribed the amphetamine speed to help her lose weight for a film role.
“Your hips always had to look slimmer, your face thinner,” she said.
“As an actress you are always on a diet when working. I was told to take speed to help get the weight off. At times I wouldn’t even get work because I was too fat.”
Joan admits she finds it hard to find good roles.
“In Hollywood you’ve flowered in your 20s, peaked in your 30s and it is rare for an actress to be a leading lady in her 40s and rarer still in her 50s.
“After that it is character parts if you’re lucky. After 60 a woman is like Africa.
Everyone knows where it is but nobody wants to go there.”
But she remains reluctant to reverse the years, after trying Botox once.
“It hurt like hell,” she said.

“You know what they say about plastic surgery? It’s the plain woman’s revenge.”

For more of Joan’s classic one-liners, see her at Bournemouth’s Pavilion Theatre on Wednesday 24th at 7.45pm...
.Joan Collins: a showbiz life
Joan Collins has appeared in more than 118 feature films and TV shows.
Her novels and memoirs have sold more than 50 million copies worldwide and been translated into 30 languages.
She is a regular diarist for The Spectator and a contributor to The Daily Mail, The Telegraph, The Times and Harper’s Bazaar.
On stage, Joan Collins has performed on Broadway, the West End, and in national tours in the UK and North America.
She is devoted to the well-being of women, children and families and regularly lends her support and celebrity to causes that include finding a cure for breast cancer and empowering children with learning disabilities.
She is also a committed patron of Shooting Star/Chase Hospice for Children. In 1997 she received an OBE for her lifetime contribution to the arts and her continuing charity work.

Friday, April 19, 2013

BEVERLY HILLS LIFESTYLE .. SPRING 2013 ..

Joan's shoot for Mark Zunino can be seen in the latest issue of Beverly Hills Lifestyle magazine which is out now!

Dame Joan Collins waits on Sofitel’s dramatic mezzanine before descending down to dinner at Esterel restaurant. Wearing a MARK ZUNINO black Italian matt jersey side draped cocktail dress with teal crystals $4,200, black lamb skin bolero jacket with teal silk satin lining $3,600, kid skin opera gloves $1,200, stiletto pumps by Jimmy Choo. Bracelet by Peter Marco 71.90 carats diamond Princess cut in 18K white gold $345,000. Earrings by Nolan Miller.
Photography: JSquared Photography
Fashion Stylist: Rene´ Horsch
Hair&Makeup: Uzmee Krakovszki
Hairstylist: Travisean Haynes: Aim Artists
Art Director: Michael Piombo
Location: Sofitel Los Angeles www.SofitelLosAngeles.com

Legendary Designer Mark ZuniNo Talks Fashion

Those who grew up with California native Mark Zunino would probably never have imagined seeing him where he is today. But a chance opportunity to work with legendary and Emmy Award-winning designer Nolan Miller helped to start Mark’s amazing career. Under Nolan, Mark worked with the defining women of glamour in Hollywood – Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, and Barbara Streisand, just to name a few. These experiences, his exposure to European fabric makers, and the couture business all tremendously influenced his focus on old Hollywood glamour. When launching his own line in 1998, Mark incorporated a modern interpretation to his label, which has been worn by top celebrities, including Angelina Jolie and Heather Locklear. His success has led to new fashion lines including Mark of Style with QVC and Mark Zunino for Kleinfeld Bridal. But despite his busy schedule, Beverly Hills Lifestyle was able to catch up with Mark at Sofitel Los Angeles for an exclusive photo shoot featuring his gowns modeled by the top divas of television: Joan Collins, Donna Mills and Nadia Bjorlin.
Your designs are described as a modern reinterpretation of old Hollywood glamour. What is it that attracts you to this style? I love glamour. Glamour is glamour. There is a certain formula that makes every woman feel sexy and the best they have ever felt. When I started, I worked with people like Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren and absorbed their styles. I have carried this style when working with celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry, and when creating wedding gowns. There is an inner confidence that emits from a person when dressed glamorously, you can see it in the way she moves and walks. She becomes alive and that is what fashion is all about.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

EXCLUSIVE! A PASSION FOR LIFE .. SEPTEMBER 2013....

Here is an exclusive look at the cover for Joan's exciting new memoir 'A Passion For Life' to be published in September by Constable & Robinson.. Date TBA.. Watch this space for updates!

Having lived many lives when most of us only live one, the stories of Joan Collins' adventures on film sets around the world, the friendships she made, the triumphs and the near disasters could fill many books. Encounters with Princess Diana, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the romantic story of her courtship and marriage to Percy Gibson are among the new stories Joan shares, in this latest instalment of her witty, wise and revelatory memoirs.

Following on from where Second Act left off, the screen icon reveals details of her life with her husband Percy, her travels around the world, fun with family and friends, and shares more revealing anecdotes about the fascinating people she has met during her life.

A Passion for Life is - quite literally - an expression of the joie de vivre which Joan exudes. Filled with fabulous never-before-seen images of her life, from childhood to recent holiday snaps with Percy and her children, this is the ultimate illustrated guide to the life of a British icon.

FUNERAL SERVICE OF BARONESS THATCHER.. ST PAUL'S CATCHEDRAL LONDON .. APRIL 17TH 2013..

JOAN & PERCY arrive followed by DAME SHIRLEY.

Joan & Percy attended the funeral service of Baroness Thatcher yesterday at St Paul's Cathedral in London. Joan also met up with her good friend Dame Shirley Bassey who was also in attendence..

ONE NIGHT WITH JOAN ... AFRIDIZIAK THEATRE NEWS .. APRIL 18TH 2013...

I have never been a girl to make a huge effort with my appearance. For me pulling out the stops involves whacking on some mascara and hoping for the best. But tonight I board the Piccadilly line with my hair straightened, my eyes carefully lined and I have even gone to the extreme lengths of donning a dress. The reason? I have a date at Leicester Square Theatre. A glamorous evening of indulgence; One Night with Joan Collins and one does want to look one’s best.

As a showreel of Dynasty clips commences with an American voice over introducing ‘Superbitch Alexis Carrington’ it seems the evening will be a rather formulaic showcase of Collins’ best known role. That is until the immaculately groomed star totters onto the stage in impossibly high sliver stilettos declaring “Stop! There was so much before that!” to raucous applause. As a woman who appeared on the cover of playboy at the age of 50, Joan has never been one to stick to formula.

As a woman who appeared on the cover of playboy at the age of 50, Joan has never been one to stick to formula”

Dressed in black sequined trousers and a sheer black evening top Joan begins at the beginning. Giving us a glimpse into her earliest memories as part of the showbiz Collins family, Joan treats the audience to family photographs of herself as a tot at the seaside. Receiving her first review at three ‘Joan Collins makes the fairest fairy’ the road to stardom was already paved. Long before the shoulder pads of Dynasty or the famous swing scene in The Stud a fresh faced 17-year-old Collins signed a contract with J. Arthur Rank. But it was with 20th Century Fox that she shot to international fame starring in The Girl on the Red Velvet Swing. Labelled as ‘England’s answer to Ava Gardener’ Collin’s describes the glamorous party lifestyle of Hollywood’s golden age which came at a price.

As part of her contract Collin’s had to shoot various scantily clad ‘Turn ’em on poses’ and was instructed to lose eight pounds from her already slimline frame. Later on Joan describes the inherent ageism in Hollywood and her refusal to let her advancing years stop her playing the role of the desirable female. Joan’s incredible story is narrated by various stills and video clips which are meticulously composed by production designer Oliver Sones. We even steal a glance at Collin’s screen test for Cleopatra; a role she never played due to her refusal to ‘be nice’ to the producers. Joan’s phenomenal success without resorting to the casting couch is part of what makes her such a formidable and inspiring figure. Not one for bitterness, Joan cites several occasions where she was told candidly that she would never make it in ‘this town’ which she repeats with a knowing smile and subtle shrug of the shoulders.

The show is truly a one off and impossible to replicate. My night with Joan is one I will never forget.

Collins relives the most notable events in her life with good humour and a no nonsense finiteness. Currently on husband number five, each unsuccessful marriage is summarised with an offhand ‘and that was divorce number... ’ As Joan describes being a mother, moving from London to LA and accepting roles which ‘would stretch her as an actress’ (cue clip from Empire of the Ants) her upbeat self reliance and willingness to poke fun at herself shines through. There is plenty of name dropping, this is a woman who has worked with Richard Burton, was snubbed by Joan Crawford and lusted after by Gene Kelly. Her account of meeting ‘a rather nondescript blonde girl’ who turned out to be Marilyn Monroe resulted in some very sage advice. The evening feels strangely intimate and though scripted and neatly directed by husband Percy Gibson there is a genuine warmth from Collins as she delivers countless personal anecdotes and quotes from the biggest names in Hollywood history.

The evening was simply wonderful, an honest yet highly theatrical insight into the fascinating life of a woman who never played by anyone’s rules but her own. The show is truly a one off and impossible to replicate. My night with Joan is one I will never forget.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

GAY TIMES ... APRIL 16TH 2013..

Joan Collins

The West End’s must-see diva

Working on GT I’ve done some pretty gay things in my time but it’s just possible that One Night With Joan may have topped the bill.

The one-woman show – celebrating the life and career of Joan Collins – is played for laughs with fantastic comedic timing, while still managing to be an impressive feat in showing off just how much she’s done other than Dynasty (pronounce it how you will, as you’ll discover in the show).

Joan herself plays up the misconception that all she’s ever portrayed is super-soap bitch Alexis by halting the proceedings as the show gets underway with the all-so-familiar theme tune. And so begins two hours of tales from Hollywood, of papier-mache ants and getting Cinzano poured down her twice a year.

Hanging. Off. Every. Word.

Who else has stories of encounters with Joan Crawford and Marilyn Monroe? Of having worked with Bette Davis? And who else would exasperatedly stop the show with a sigh - while fanning herself - to shout at press photographers snapping away during the first ten minutes.

“Click, click, click! Are you ever going to stop?” she snaps, rolling her eyes and realising the audience are completely on her side. Amazing.

Her life story is accompanied by clips from her many films and TV appearances, as well as a series of incredible photographs which look set to see print later this year.

She still looks utterly fantastic of course (goodness knows how she does it), she keeps the audience in the palm of her hand and ultimately leaves them desperate for more. I could’ve listened to her all night - if the end had been the interval I’d have happily sat for another two hours.

5/5

Get tickets for her London shows here and details of her UK tour here.

PINK WIRE .. APRIL 16TH 2013.. ONE NIGHT WITH JOAN REVIEW!

One Night With Joan - Theatre Review

Joan Collins is back and currently wowing critics and audience alike with her one woman show “One Night With Joan”, on for a very limited run at the Leicester Square Theatre.

In a two hour show that passed too quickly, this living legend regaled tales from her life, reminding us that whilst Alexis Carrington was the role she is mostly remembered for, she actually studied at RADA before being snapped up by and shipped off to Hollywood. But that was just the tip of the iceberg. This woman showed just why she has lasted so long in show-business.
She is not to be messed with – even the paps who were going overboard with their cameras met her stern side. “Click, click, click! Do you ever stop?” The paparazzi were quickly removed, much to the audience’s delight, who whooped and cheered her off-book rant. Don’t cross the woman who was “The Bitch” – she means business.

Giving a faultless and captivating performance, Joan’s personality shone through from the moment she ran on stage shouting at the stage-hand that it wasn’t the right time to be playing “that clip”, which happened to be the opening credits to Dynasty, to the end where she answered questions from the audience. She is so matter-of-fact and honest, you cannot help but be mesmerized by this woman who took on a chauvinistic, male dominated world in court in the 1980s – and won.

With countless quotes you wished you had thought of, such as “an Emmy nomination is like haemorrhoids – eventually every arsehole gets one”, this absolutely charming evening had the audience laughing so hard, tears rolled. Joan exudes personality, warmth and pep, and she has a natural gift for storytelling, something that was perfectly combined with a backdrop of pictures and clips from her past, family and career. And she is exquisitely beautiful, with skin as flawless as her performance. For someone who has been there, done that and wrote the book on it (several books actually), she has certainly perfected the secret of eternal beauty.

The audience were on their feet with not one, but two standing ovations, both entirely justified, and Joan’s wit, effervescence and ability to not take herself too seriously was as refreshing as a glass of Cinzano, as long as you didn’t end up wearing it, ala Ms Collins. Catch her while you can. I cannot recommend this highly enough.

Totally unmissable and utterly delightful.

“One Night with Joan” is on at the Leicester Square Theatre on Friday 26th-Sunday

BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE .. ONE NIGHT WITH JOAN .. APRIL 16TH 2013

British Theatre Guide

The leading independent web site on British theatre

Joan Collins - One Night With Joan

Joan Collins
London International Arts Theatre Ltd
Leicester Square Theatre
From 12 April 2013 to 14 April 2013
Review by Howard Loxton

Dynasty

The Virgin Queen

Dynasty

One Night with Joan

One Night With Joan

THE CLUB AT THE IVY LAUNCH .. LONDON BOOK FAIR.. EARL'S COURT .. APRIL 16TH 2013..

To coincide with the upcoming release of 'A Passion For Life', Joan was special guest at this years London Book Fair earlier at Earl's Court. Joan was there to launch The Club at The Ivy... This is a pop up version of the exclusive members club located in the same building as the Legendary restaurant The Ivy.. The club welcomes authors, agents and publishers...

Monday, April 15, 2013

A PASSION FOR LIFE ... KINDLE PRE-ORDER .. SEPTEMBER 19TH 2013 ...

Joan's forthcoming memoir 'A Passion For Life' is now available to pre-order on Kindle at the following link.. This edition of the book will be available on September 19th from Constable & Robinson.. Watch this space for other release dates and an extensive promotion schedule!
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Passion-for-Life-ebook/dp/B00BZ5JNM0/ref=sr_1_5?s

THE STAGE .. APRIL 15TH 2013..

One Night With Joan

Published Monday 15 April 2013 at 10:47 by Paul Vale

Actress, writer and mother Joan Collins gamely takes the role of host in this one-woman show, detailing the highs and lows of her career in showbusiness. The facts and figures you can pick up from Wikipedia, but what Collins gives us is the personal touch, an affectionate and pragmatic view of a life lived to the full but never to excess. Those looking for a sob story need to look elsewhere, as Collins immediately establishes that she had a happy childhood and, despite the four divorces, several law suits and seriously questionable film choices, she remains at her most content when surrounded by her family. A jobbing actor with a gypsy lifestyle, Collins found fame and infamy on both sides of the Atlantic but never lost the ability to laugh at herself, endearing her to generations of fans.
Collins’ self-penned script is witty and insightful, condensing an autobiography into slick, entertaining sound bites delivered with the energy of an enthusiastic ingenue. It’s all here from Land of the Pharaohs to Dynasty via Empire of the Ants and The Bitch, proving if nothing else that Collins’ body of work is probably one of the more colourful in screen history.
Thanks to designer Oliver Sones, who the host generously introduces on stage, the evening is given a backdrop of tantalising video clips and stills from Collins’ career. From gorgeous child to wasp-waisted vamp, from small screen to CinemaScope, Collins’ acting career might not be critic proof but she is certainly a part of Hollywood folklore and in a world full of mere celebrity, she remains a genuine British star.

Production information

Leicester Square, London, April 12-28

Author/cast:: Joan Collins
Director:: Percy Gibson
Producers:: Martin Witts, London International Arts Theatre Ltd
Running time:: 1hr 45min

Leicester Square TheatreLondon: April 12-14
G LiveGuildford: April 16
OrchardDartford: April 17
AnvilBasingstoke: April 19
Town HallBirmingham: April 20
Lowry, LyricSalford: April 21
Alban ArenaSt Albans: April 23
PavilionBournemouth: April 24
Leicester Square TheatreLondon

BEIGE MAGAZINE ... APRIL 15TH 2013...

You know when you’re in the presence of a star. There’s a curious aura about them – a certain high voltage. So it is with Joan Collins, the actress best known for her role as mega bitch Alexis Carrington in the iconic 1980s series Dynasty.
Collins’s acclaimed one-woman show ‘One Night With Joan’ pays homage to the Aaron Spelling soap by opening with its theme music as images of Collins, as the fiercely beautiful Alexis, fill the auditorium.
We’re quickly reminded, however, that there’s more to Collins than her shoulder padded glory days, as she bursts on to the stage and peremptorily demands the music stops.
She proceeds to take us on a journey from her early years (it’s unsurprising that she comes from a theatrical family) through her days as a starlet at the Rank organisation, to her arrival in Hollywood.
Anecdotes abound as we’re treated to stories about her turning down Richard Burton (who even pleasured a toothless studio cleaner), receiving advice from Marilyn Monroe on the perils of the casting couch and losing out on the role of Cleopatra to Elizabeth Taylor.
These stories are accompanied by vintage stills and film clips of Collins through the years. Family photos are mixed with studio publicity shots and each are introduced with deadpan humour, and impeccable timing, as Collins streaks across the stage like a tigress, her black leggings and animal print gown showing off her still enviable figure.
Within minutes of arriving on stage it’s made clear that this isn’t a show about ‘a miserable childhood.’ Those expecting a darker tale behind the glitter will be disappointed. Her divorces are pithily glossed over, as are periods when work was hard to find.
Instead, we’re presented with a tale of survival – the life of a working actress – a woman not too grand to take roles in numerous lacklustre, and some downright appalling films because she had to feed a large family. It’s Collins’ refreshingly self-deprecating style that draws us in.
Above all, however, this is an evening about glamour. It’s a master class in how to create it and sustain it, and most crucially, perform it. And Collins is the ultimate teacher.
The most revealing part of the show comes when Collins reflects on her 1996 lawsuit with Random House for an unpublished novel. In the first of two courtroom clips shes breaks down in tears in front of a particularly brutal lawyer. It’s an unexpected, quiet moment of fragility.
Collins ponders how she was going to survive this court case. “Be Alexis”, a friend advises. Cut to a second clip: an effervescent Collins toys with the lawyer, all quick-fire wit and feminine wiles. She turns to the audience, and with a saucy wink, proudly states that she won the case, walking away with millions of dollars.
This is what Joan Collins is about – the business of myth making. It’s the delicate act of masks and shape shifting; of knowing just how much to show and when. And making that look effortless. Few do it better than Collins.
One Night With Joan is at The Leicester Square Theatre, until 28 April.
www.leicestersquaretheatre.com
Words: Alex Hopkins

Sunday, April 14, 2013

DAILY EXPRESS ... APRIL 15TH 2013..

Joan-Collins-poses-back-stage-following-the-opening-night-of-her-show-One-Night-With-Joan

The stars come out to celebrate style queen Joan Collins

THE eternally glamorous Joan Collins showed that she’s still the queen of style and sophistication while posing back stage for photos following the opening night of her one woman show, One Night With Joan, in London’s West End. Joan Collins poses back stage following the opening night of her show One Night With Joan

The remarkabe Joan Collins was able to call upon some friends in high places as Dempsey And Makepeace husband and wife stars Glynis Barber and Michael Brandon joined her and her husband Percy Gibson for a post-performance celebration...

The show which documents the actress’s lengthy career is on again at the Leicester Square Theatre from April 26 to 28.

WEST END FRAME REVIEW : ONE NIGHT WITH JOAN .. APRIL 14TH 2013..

Review: One Night With Joan at the Leicester Square Theatre

One Night With Joan

Leicester Square Theatre

Reviewed on Friday 12th April 2013 (Press Night)

Legendary Hollywood star Joan Collins has returned to London with her one woman show. One Night With Joan is a night like no other.

Perhaps Joan is most famous for starring in Dynasty (or as she calls it: Battle of the Shoulder Pads) but she doesn't speak about the show in much detail until the second act. She begins at the very beginning, talking about her happy upbringing. What I admired most about the show was Joan's honesty. She tell stories truthfully, not dressing things up too much. Joan is not afraid to laugh at herself which adds a great deal of fun to proceedings.

Not only does Joan talk about the good times but she also talks about the bad. After her career in Hollywood ended she struggled to find work and then later on in her career she had an awful time when her book publishers attempted to sue her. She talks mainly about her career although she does mention her personal life on several occasions, the balance is perfect.

The script has been carefully written to coincide with lots of pictures, short clips and montages. This keeps the show fast-paced and intriguing, there is plenty to see. I particularly enjoyed two montages, one showing all the legendary cat-fights from Dynasty and the other features a number of out-takes from Dynasty, showing Joan's fun side. Also some of the commercials she has taken part in over the years are absolutely hilarious!

My favourite part of the evening was the Question and Answer session at the end. Joan introduces her husband, Percy Gibson, who asks Joan a number of questions on behalf of audience members. It was fascinating to finally see Joan more relaxed and at ease, she has great chemistry with her husband and seemed generally happy and content with life. I just wish this section was longer!

Performing a one woman show must be exhausting but for Joan it seems like a walk in the park. Joan proves what a superstar she is as not once did she forget a line and she rarely even stumbled. If you have followed Joan's career you will absolutely love this show. It is interesting and funny but most importantly intimate, providing far more than you could ever get from reading an autobiography.

Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)

andrew@westendframe.com

One Night With Joan runs at the Leicester Square Theatre on 14th, 26th, 27th and 28th April 2013. Please visit www.leicesterquaretheatre.com for further information and to book tickets.

Tour Dates

Tuesday 16th April, G Live, Guildford

Wednesday 17th April, Orchard Theatre, Dartford

Friday 19th April, The Anvil, Basingstoke

Saturday 20th April, Town Hall, Birmingham

Sunday 21th April, The Lowry, Salford

Tuesday 23th April, The Arena, St Albans

Wednesday 24th April, The Pavilion, Bournemouth

ONE NIGHT WITH JOAN REVIEW : SUNDAY EXPRESS .. APRIL 14TH 2013..

Joan Collins is these days Joan of Arch, mistress of the anecdote, raising an imperious, carefully shaped eyebrow as high as the carefully placed overhead lighting.

After decades in the business, she’s camp, she’s cult, thanks to the shoulder-padded bitch-fest that was Dynasty in the Eighties. Most forget she was RADA-trained before being whisked off to Hollywood where she made 11 films.

She rejected Richard Burton but probably said yes to Warren Beatty. Glamour is her middle name.

Collins is, as ever, the complete old-school professional

But the cruelty of Hollywood to older women meant that shlocky roles beckoned such as the iconic Cinzano ads with Leonard Rossiter.

Collins is, as ever, the complete old-school professional, and not afraid to send herself up but her show lacks emotion – like her flawless make-up, La Collins never cracks. That’s not her style.

Maybe that’s because Joan, after 11 years with charming American hubby Percy, has found happiness and can look back in languor – and because she is our Joan we’re happy for her.

One Night With Joan, Leicester Square Theatre, London

SO SO GAY ... ONE NIGHT WITH JOAN REVIEW ..APRIL 14TH 2013.

Review: One Night With Joan (Leicester Square Theatre)

13 April 2013

Jamie is bowled over by the hilarious and fascinating life story of Joan Collins, a formidable Hollywood icon, starring in her revealing one-woman show by: Jamie Clarke April 2013

Review Overview

Overall enjoyment. 5 *****

Performance 5 *****

Costumes 5 *****

Summary : An absolutely fantastic one woman show from a true Hollywood legend. Funny, touching and engaging. See it whilst you can.

Picture this, a bare stage at The Leicester Square Theatre except for a rather regal chair, a phone on a small table, a vase of lilies and some framed photos. A large screen displays images of Joan Collins over the years, oh so many years. Yes. This is One Night With Joan.
The reason for the bare stage is clear once Collins enters dramatically from stage left with the most sparkling ensemble you’ve ever seen, or are likely to see again – and a personality that would fill an arena.
‘I was born in the second third of the 20th century,’ she opens flirtatiously, seventy-nine and still killing it with humour. The audience lapped it up.
We hear how Collins cracked her way into the tough Hollywood industry without the help of her father, a theatrical agent. It’s hard to believe a woman at this age is still going strong – a gruelling round of radio and TV promotion was done to promote this tour.
Collins insists that remaining positive is the key to her youthful state of being, ‘I’m not one of those people who analyse everything, not at all,’ she says. ‘I don’t think where I’m going to be in five years, I think where I’m going to be in two weeks, because I’m going to be in New York. And I try to make each day like a mini-lifetime’.
What a lifetime it’s been. Collins recalls so many memories of her time during the golden age of Hollywood, it’s hard to keep up. She shares the time she was told to go on a diet and given little green pills, ‘Dexedrine, the same ones they gave to Judy Garland’ to lose weight. ‘How different things could have been’, she ponders before going on to note how she was lusted after by some of the hottest pin-ups of the last 50 years (and how she refused them all, ‘well, most of them’).
Collins is a true legend who lights up the stage and keeps the audience engaged throughout the entire show, even whilst she’s in the middle of an inevitable change of ensemble. She talks of how she hit the jackpot and became a star then she lost it all, only to reinvent herself as a TV soap star, novelist, diarist, fashion expert and a star of adverts from Cinzano to Snickers.
No subject is off-limits for Collins. Born in Paddington during the Second World War she discusses the causes of broken Britain, including bad manners, liberal parenting, benefit scroungers, reality TV and the fat woman in front of her at the cheese counter.
After a standing ovation Collins returns, sits down and opens the show up to the audience for a Q&A, with a cup of tea, of course. Like a true Brit.
Her one woman show works as great therapy, life-coaching and an abdominal workout in one. Joan Collins is a formidable talent, ‘Life is a predator,’ she said. ‘You’ve got to eat it before it eats you’. See it whilst you can.
One Night With Joan Collins is touring nationally and is currently booking until 28 April 2013. Tickets start at £30.00.