TO THOUSANDS of soap fans, Sarah Jane Buckley is best known for her role in Hollyoaks, as controlling mum Kathy Barnes. With a dramatic storyline that included kidnapping her own granddaughter, she became a must-see character.
Tonight, at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, she reveals another string to her bow when she plays one of the world’s best-loved musicians, Eva Cassidy, in the musical play Over the Rainbow.
Since its first outing, it has received rapturous receptions and inspired cathartic outpourings of emotion.
The fabulous cast includes Sarah Jane as Washington-born singer Eva, sensational Fife singer and Musicality winner Donna Hazleton as her mother, Barbara, and Holby City and Casualty star David Paisley as Danny Cassidy.
This compelling, award-winning musical play follows Eva’s life from her idyllic childhood growing up in a musical family to her studio work with boyfriend and mentor Chris Biondo, to the exuberant live recording of Blues Alley and finally to her tragically premature death at the age of only 33.
“Eva is a wonderful part and playing her is probably the biggest role I’ve had so far, as the singing is as big a part of the show as the acting,” said Sarah Jane.
“I perform about 24 songs including Fields of Gold, Songbird, Over the Rainbow, plus songs the audience may not have heard, including Stormy Monday and blues numbers.
“She was famous for doing a mixture of music which we try to show in the play.
“The show follows her life from the age of 14, when I play her with pigtails in her hair, to her tragic and untimely death from cancer.
“It’s very harrowing at times, and has been an incredible, emotional journey for me.
“Despite the sad ending, it has many light moments and is filled with lots of her best-loved songs which are sung by a multi-talented cast of west end performers, so the audience goes home feeling uplifted rather than sad.”
After being “discovered” in the UK by Terry Wogan, Eva’s album Imagine came straight in at number one ahead of international singing stars Robbie Williams and Beyonce.
She became the only female artist ever to receive three posthumous number-one albums.
“The play sticks closely to Eva’s story as the Cassidy family have been very involved with it from the start,” said Sarah Jane.
Receiving standing ovations everywhere, it’s said to be on a par with the equally emotional musical Blood Brothers.
“This is a show for anyone who has lost someone they love, and is a thoroughly entertaining and memorable experience,” said Sarah Jane.
“Although some people will know me as a television performer, my background is in musical theatre, so it would be great to see non-regular theatregoers coming to see the show: I’m a strong advocate of live theatre.”
Sarah Jane first found fame at 17 when she sang on a talent show called Scramble, hosted by Richard and Judy.
After drama school, she appeared in musicals all over the world, including Joseph and Elvis the Musical, then formed a cabaret duo called The Polka Dots which toured with everyone from The Chuckle Brothers to Joe Pasquale.
After working abroad presenting and performing, she returned to the UK to play the exciting role of crazy Kathy Barnes in the hit Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.
Since then, she has popped up on Loose Woman and has just completed a part in the feature film Kicks, in which she plays a Liverpool mum with a taste for younger men.
“I would love to be in a soap again at some point, perhaps playing a tragi-comedy role, someone like Raquel who used to be in Coronation Street,” said Sarah Jane.
“I’d also love to be in Larkrise to Candleford; it’s my favourite show as it’s beautifully written and beautifully shot.”
Watch this space, as they say.
Over the Rainbow is at Eden Court Theatre, Inverness, from tonight until Saturday. Performances are at 8pm nightly with a 2pm matinee on Saturday. For tickets call 01463 234234.