Jane promises memories that will never fade

Singer Jane McDonald only realised the true power of her voice last year. She tells The Courier about a career that has spanned almost 20 years right up her latest emotive show

Despite a successful career spanning 17 years, it was playing a glamorous feline in the musical Cats that made Jane McDonald realise the true extent of her talent – at the age of 52.

“I was playing Grizabella in Cats at the Blackpool Opera House last year and that’s when it dawned on me that I could really sing,” says Jane, who appears at the Alhambra Theatre in Dunfermline tonight with her new Making Memories show.

“I’ve always been able to sing since I was a child but when you sing such an iconic song as Memory eight times a week and get a reaction like that, it makes you think.

“I love everything about singing – seriously, it’s the best feeling in the world. To be able to create a mood in a theatre with your voice is magical.

“It also keeps you fit and is good for the soul, everyone should try it.”

Inspired by Dionne Warwick and Gladys Knight when she was growing up, the singer and presenter first rose to fame in 1998 after her appearance on BBC’s The Cruise and has gone on to present top daytime shows such as Loose Women and ITV’s Star Treatment.

Jane believes this tour is the biggest and best she has ever done.

“That’s not just me saying that, that’s what the fans are saying after seeing the previews,” she says.

“It takes a huge amount of planning, picking the songs, band rehearsal, dance rehearsal, writing, making the gowns then tweaking after previews.

“We’ve been working on the show for a year but it’s been worth it.”

Jane has played the Alhambra many times and loves coming back to Fife especially as her father was born here.

“I received a letter and photos from someone who used to live next door to him – that was lovely,” she says.

Making Memories is packed full of songs and arrangements and following requests from fans, she is introducing

Singing is good for the soul, everyone should try it

full versions of some of her own songs, including The Hand That Leads Me (written for her mum) and The Singer of Your Song, specifically written for her fans.

Although she loves all the numbers in the show, she has one particular favourite: “I think it’s Memory, which gets me every time and the audience seem to love it.

“And I also love I’ll Be There, written by my guitarist Steve Cooper and me.”

Jane has toured as far afield as Las Vegas and was most recently in Cyprus.

“If there’s a pool by the hotel and sunshine, that’s exotic in my eyes,” she laughs.

As she takes Making Memories out and about across the UK, she is philosophical about life on the road.

“Touring is tiring but it’s also exhilarating and exciting so you don’t really notice the tiredness until you stop.

“I just keep taking the vitamins and get plenty of sleep if possible.

“The best thing about what I do is spending quality time with people I really like. The band, crew and singers are all people I like to be around.

“I also love meeting my amazing fans – they are the best.”

Jane is hoping the audience will be moved in some way during the performance.

“Bring your tissues, as some of the songs are very emotional. But you’ll also feel elated and happy when we do a tribute to Earth, Wind and Fire and our new disco medley, which will have you dancing in the aisles,” she says.

“As long as you feel something when you walk out after the show, then I’ve done my job.”