Interview With Blair Gibson As The Jersey Boys Tour Comes To The North

Ahead of the popular musical Jersey Boys arriving in Blackpool our Music Features Correspondent, Graham Clark, spoke to Blair Gibson who stars in the show.

Can you tell me what the Jersey Boys show is all about?

Many people are confused with the title as they think the show is just a musical tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. The show tells the story of the group over a forty-year period from when they first started right up to their induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

People might not expect to see the drama that went on behind the scenes such as the debt, the mob culture and the struggle that the group had to go through. On top of that there are all the big songs that are associated with the Four Seasons.

Have you met Bob Gaudio who you play in the Jersey Boys?

I have indeed – I met Bob in rehearsals and we had a really good chat. Bob wrote most of the songs for the Four Seasons and I had to sing one of the first songs that he wrote – Cry For Me, it was a special moment in my career.

Were the auditions tough to get through?

They were – the producers saw so many people but what they were actually looking for were four boys who looked like they could be in a group together, harmonise together and give the songs the respect they deserve.

Why do you think the musical is so successful?

I think it is because people remember the songs, though it is not just about nostalgia – you can still hear the Four Seasons songs on the radio, on the television. These are songs that people love and they speak for themselves.

The show is coming to the Blackpool Opera House - have you been to Blackpool before?

We had a family holiday there about eight years ago but apart from that I have not been to the town much. The musical runs for two weeks in Blackpool – many of the cast have been there before and they have warned me that the audiences there can be lively, which we like.

Do you have any memorable moments from the show so far?

Performing in Liverpool at the Empire Theatre was a good memory as the venue is so large and the reaction from the audience was incredible. It felt like a big concert every night. I hear that the Opera House in Blackpool is a large theatre too so we are all looking forward to performing the Jersey Boys show again in a big venue.

What would you say to someone to encourage them to come to see the show?

The Jersey Boys is a good piece of theatre along with being a musical with songs that they will know, if not all of them they will at least know a few of the songs. You will discover more than you expected and I am sure you will be blown away with the drama and music – we will see you in Blackpool!

Jersey Boys runs from 16th -27th August 2022 at the Blackpool Opera House

https://www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk/events/jersey-boys/