There are some gigs that simply sparkle with a kind of stardust – and last night’s Westway Sessions concert with Cassidy Janson at the Vaudeville Theatre was one of them. If you’ve ever wondered what it might feel like to be serenaded by the British Barbra Streisand – only cheekier, warmer, and arguably more lovable – then this was it. And yes, she’s that good.
Having interviewed Cassidy several times over the years and having met her in the most unforgettable ways (including on my birthday in 2019 backstage at Man of La Mancha where she serenaded me alongside Kelsey Grammer and the sensational Myriam from & Juliet), I walked into the Vaudeville with sky-high expectations. Somehow, she managed to soar past them all. What a super star duper night!
Cassidy Janson performing at Vaudeville theatre on 7 April 2025 Photo by Les Linyard @linyardles
The atmosphere was buzzing before Cassidy even set foot on stage – an eager, excitable audience clearly starved of her stage magic since her Olivier-winning stint in & Juliet. Aside from a brief reappearance in Austenland recently, Cassidy hasn’t graced the West End in a full show since. But if there was any doubt she’d still got it, it was obliterated within the first note of I Feel The Earth Move. And my goodness, did it move.
The set list was a glorious mix of familiar bangers and soulful show tunes, woven together with Cassidy’s trademark humour and authenticity. She brought the house down with That’s The Way It Is (yes, the Céline Dion one from & Juliet), followed by a spine-tingling It’s All Coming Back To Me Now, proving that her voice – sinus infection and all – remains a force of nature. “I’m slightly high,” she declared cheerfully as she bounded on stage. Honestly, if that was Cassidy under the weather, I can’t imagine how she performs at full health. Her vocals were off-the-scale impressive.
And then there’s her Carole King repertoire. Cassidy and Carole are a match made in musical heaven. From So Far Away to Beautiful, it was a masterclass in storytelling through song. Her rendition of Will You Love Me Tomorrow – in her stunning Leading Ladies version – was a particular heart-melter. But the real goosebumps moment came with You’ve Got A Friend, performed after Fire and Rain as a musical dialogue between James Taylor and Carole King. With the whole theatre singing along, it felt like a warm, fuzzy hug shared between strangers. Magic.
Her voice aside (and that’s saying something), it’s Cassidy’s personality that truly sets her apart. Equal parts kooky and cool, her stage banter had us in stitches. She joked about Sudafed, couldn’t work the mic stand, and told a cracking story involving one of ABBA that would’ve had Graham Norton reaching for the wine. It’s rare for someone so vocally gifted to be so unpretentious – and yet, Cassidy is that glorious unicorn.
She even dipped into her Wicked past with a tender, stripped-back I’m Not That Girl, and showcased original songs from her album, reminding us she’s not just a powerhouse performer but a compelling songwriter too.
The band – visible on stage, for once! – added an intimate, jam-session vibe that brought us even closer to the music. Cassidy adores her musicians (she has told me that various times a few weeks ago), and that warmth radiated across the stage.
Backstage after the show, it felt like déjà vu – reminiscent of my birthday treat in 2019. Cassidy was as gracious, funny and effervescent as ever. It’s not every day you get to meet someone you admire who turns out to be even better than you hoped. As she would say herself: “What is my life?!”
In the end, this concert wasn’t just a showcase of talent – it was a reminder of why we fall in love with live theatre in the first place. It was funny, moving, dazzling and deeply personal. Cassidy Janson isn’t just one of the best vocalists on the West End – she’s also one of its brightest lights. And I, for one, felt lucky to be basking in her glow.
Gig rating: 11/10
Cassidy status: National treasure
Most likely to say: “I’m totally random.”
Most likely to make you cry and laugh within 30 seconds.
Set list highlights:
-
I Feel The Earth Move
-
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
-
Nobody’s Side
-
That’s The Way It Is
-
Don’t Rain On My Parade
-
I’m Not That Girl
-
It’s All Coming Back To Me Now
-
You’ve Got A Friend
-
Natural Woman
Catch my latest interview with Cassidy here:
londonmumsmagazine.com – Cassidy Janson Unplugged
And my 2019 backstage birthday treat:
My Night Out With Cassidy
