Jessica Martin Explained

Jessica Martin
Birth Place:Fulham, London, England
Birth Date:25 August 1962
Yearsactive:1983–present

Jessica Cecelia Anna Maria Martin (born 25 August 1962) is an English actress, singer, and illustrator. Specializing as an impressionist, her television roles have included Spitting Image, Copy Cats and two series with Bobby Davro. She featured as the werewolf Mags in the 1988 Doctor Who serial The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, and provided the voice of the Queen in the 2007 Doctor Who Christmas special, "Voyage of the Damned".

On stage, Martin starred with Gary Wilmot in the West End show Me and My Girl for two years at the Adelphi Theatre and then on a national tour. She went on to play leading musical roles including Mabel in the 1996 production of Mack and Mabel at the Piccadilly Theatre, Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd, Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard and the Lady of the Lake in the national tour of Spamalot. Her autobiography, as a graphic novel, Life Drawing: A Life Under Lights, was published in 2019.

Life and career

Early life

Jessica Cecelia Anna Maria Martin was born on 25 August 1962.[1] She graduated with a degree in English and Drama from Westfield College, London University and also studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama.[2] Her first job, in 1983 when she was 21, was as a resident singer at St James's Hotel and Club. Her father, Placido Martin, was a cocktail pianist there. Speaking about her father in a 2019 interview, Martin said that he "was a complex character and much as I loved him, I wanted to give an honest portrayal [in my book] of how self-centred and destructive a 'creative' person can be."

Performance roles

Martin became an impressionist on the fringe circuit in 1983. In a 1984 review of her lunchtime show at the Palace Theatre, London bar, Roy Robert Smith of The Stage wrote that Martin was "armed with guts, determination, and talent [and] must surely soon gain the public recognition she deserves." He noted that she refined her material and renewed her material between shows, and particularly praised her impressions of Gloria Hunniford and Judy Garland. After seeing Martin perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Rory Bremner persuaded her to focus on impressions, and the pair appeared on radio together.[3] In 1985, Martin was quoted as saying that she had only started doing impressions in public at the fringe for relaxation after appearing in performances Women of Troy there.

She auditioned for several roles, and became a regular voice cast member for the satirical puppet show Spitting Image.[4] [3] where her roles included Barbra Streisand, and members of the British royal family.[5] She was then invited to audition for London Weekend Television's Copy Cats.[3] Fellow team members included Bobby Davro, with whom she partnered for three series of his weekly show Bobby Davro's TV Weekly. In 1985 she joined Jimmy Cricket on the Central TV production And There's More. In the Nottingham Evening Post, a staff writer commented that Martin "is proving herself to be an accomplished actress, singer, dancer and mickey-taker – definitely a name to watch out for in the future."[6] Martin and Bremner both quit Central TV in September 1985; Bremner had been offered his own BBC2 series, while Martin was due to join Davro in shows for TVS.[7] Bremner and Martin toured UK theatres together in 1987, with a show of impressions.[8]

In 1988, Milton Shulman of The Evening Standard described Martin performing "The Lady Is a Tramp" in Babes in Arms at the Maynardville Open-Air Theatre as "pert and saucy".[9] Martin played the lead role of Dorothy in a touring production of The Wizard of Oz. Charles Barron of the Aberdeen Evening Express praised Martin's "exuberance" in the role, and wrote that she sang "with great charm".

From 1989, Martin and Gary Wilmot starred in the West End show Me and My Girl for two years at the Adelphi Theatre and then on a national tour.[10] Martin went on to play leading musical roles including Mabel in the 1996 production of Mack and Mabel at the Piccadilly Theatre, Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd, and Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. She also guest-starred in the 1988 Doctor Who serial The Greatest Show in the Galaxy, starring Sylvester McCoy as the Doctor, in which she played a punk werewolf called Mags. Many years later, she provided the voice of the Queen in "Voyage of the Damned", the 2007 Christmas special, which starred David Tennant as the Doctor.[11]

She played the Lady of the Lake in the national tour of Spamalot in 2011,[12] Lottie Ames in Mack and Mabel, and Lottie Lacey in the revival of William Inge's The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (both 2012).[13] In October 2015, Martin joined the cast of , playing the role of Emily Hobbs at the Dominion Theatre.[14] In September 2016, she was featured in Robert J. Sherman's Bumblescratch playing the dual roles of Bethesda Bumblescratch and the Widow MacGregor at the Adelphi Theatre. She was named a Variety Club Celebrity Ambassador for her work in Bumblescratch and her other works.[15] [16] [17]

Martin played role of Dame Shirley Porter in Shirleymander by Greg Evans at the Playground Theatre, London in 2018,[18] for which she was nominated for the Best Female Performance in the Off West End Awards 2018.[19] In the Daily Telegraph, Ben Lawrence wrotethat Martin "best known for her impersonations .. does a terrific impression, but it is hard to reach inside the soul of this Rottweiler in a pussycat bow".[20] She also received an Off West End Awards nomination for Lead Performance in a Musical for portraying Mrs. Blitzstein in Blitz! at the Union Theatre, London in 2020.

Martin is a patron of the Music Hall Guild of Great Britain and America, and performed at the 50th anniversary Memorial Service for Lupino Lane at St Paul's, Covent Garden in 2009.[21]

Audio work

Martin appeared on The Impressionists on BBC Radio 2 in 1985. She starred in a 1987 special for the same channel, Jessica Martin's Variety: The Gossip Column Murders.[22] She was a voice actor for the PlayStation 2 game Dragon Quest VIII, and has also performed as a voice over artist for a range of animations and commercials. She has also recorded audio books including Vindication of the Rights of Men written by Mary Wollstonecraft.[23] Martin has appeared in several Doctor Who audio dramas from Big Finish Productions.

Graphic novels

In 2010, Martin took up sketching for the first time since studying A-level art. The following year, whilst touring in Spamalot with Phill Jupitus, she showed him one of her sketches. Jupitus praised the sketch and suggested that Martin should do a graphic novel. Martin has referred to this as a "lightbulb moment."[24] In 2012, Martin showed her work to established comics artist Mark Buckingham, who supported and encouraged her. Her first comic written and drawn by herself was It Girl about silent film actress Clara Bow. It was self-published in November 2013 and was selected in the "Ten Must Own Small-Press Comics 2013" by Broken Frontier.[25]

Elsie Harris Picture Palace, which is set in the 1930s British film industry, was her first full-length graphic novel. It was shortlisted for the Myriad First Graphic Novel Prize 2014.[26] In 2018, Martin illustrated a Doctor Who story, "Hill of Beans", that featured her character Mags from the television series.[27] [28] Life Drawing: A Life Under Lights, a graphic novel memoir about her life as an actress, singer and artist was published by Unbound in Spring 2019.[29] [30]

Filmography

Theatre

Year Title RoleVenue
1984 scope=row Mad Max's Cabaret performer Crazy Larry's, London [31] <--Joan Collins Fan Club was the star act-->
1984 scope=row Jessica Martin performer [32] <--Lunchtime. "..has been performing on the alternative cabaret circuit for well over a year now"-->
1985 !scope=row Conkers Cabaret performer Bush Hotel, London [33]
1985–86 scope=row Cinderella (pantomime) Cinderella [34] [35] <--Directed by Freddie Davies-->
1986–87 scope=row Aladdin (pantomime) Aladdin[36]
1986 scope=row Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (pantomime) Plymouth [37]
1987–88 scope=row Cinderella (pantomime) Cinderella [38]
1988 scope=row Babes in Arms Bunny Byron [39]
1988–89 scope=row The Wizard of Oz Dorothy Theatre Royal, Plymouth, and national tour [40] [41]
1989–91 scope=row Me and My Girl Sally Smith Adelphi Theatre
national tour
[42]
1994 scope=row The Court Jester [43] [44]
1996 scope=row Mack and Mabel [45] <--from 6 to 25 May while Caroline O'Connor was on holiday-->
1996–97scope=row Peter Pan (pantomime)Wycombe Swan [46]
1997 scope=row South Pacific Nellie Forbush national tour [47] <--page not stated in NewsBank-->
2001scope=row Mrs Lovett [48]
2004scope=row Exclusive Yarns New Wimbledon Studio [49]
2005–06scope=row Cinderella (pantomime) Fairy GodmotherChurchill Theatre, Bromley [50]
2006 scope=row Tracey Beaker Gets Real Louise/Tracey's mum national tour [51] <--page not stated in NewsBank-->
2009 scope=row Sunset BoulevardNorma Desmond [52]
2010 scope=row Sunset Bitch numerous roles (one-woman show) Waterloo East Theatre, London
2011 scope=row Spamalot Lady of the Lake national tour
2012 scope=row Mack and Mabel Lottie Ames [53]
2012 scope=row The Dark at the Top of the Stairs Lottie Lacey
2014, 2015 scope=row Elf Emily Hobbs Theatre Royal, Plymouth[54] [55] <--page not stated in NewsBank-->
2016 scope=row Bumblescratch Bethesda Bumblescratch/Widow MacGregor
2016 scope=row Big the Musical Mrs. Baskin Theatre Royal Plymouth [56]
2017scope=row Elf Emily Hobbs [57] <--page not stated in NewsBank-->
2018scope=row Shirleymander Playground Theatre, London
2020scope=row Blitz! Mrs. Blitzstein [58]
2022scope=row Goldilocks and the Three Bears (pantomime)Countess von Vinklebottom Richmond Theatre[59]

Television

Year(s)ProgrammeRole
1985–86 scope=row Bobby Davro on the Box cast member [60]
1985 scope=row And There's More cast member
1985 scope=row Wogan guest [61]
1985 scope=row Live from Her Majesty's performer [62]
1985–86 scope=row Copy Cats cast member
1986scope=row Lift Off! cast member [63]
1986scope=row Tarby and Friends guest [64]
1986 scope=row Good Morning Britain guest [65]
1986 scope=row Les and Dustin's Laughter Show performer[66]
1986 scope=row Summertime Special guest [67]
1986 scope=row We Love TV guest [68]
1986 scope=row Laugh Attack cast member
1986 scope=row 3-2-1 guest [69]
1986 scope=row Des O'Connor Tonight guest [70]
1986–87 scope=row Spitting Image voice performer
1987–88 scope=row Bobby Davro's TV Weekly cast member
1987scope=row Tom O'Connor guest [71]
1987 scope=row Royal Variety Show performer [72]
1988 scope=row Catchphrase Celebrity Special celebrity contestant
1988 scope=row PC Pinkerton voice performer
1988 scope=row Doctor Who (serial The Greatest Show in the Galaxy) Mags [73]
1993 scope=row The Art Sutter Show guest
1995 scope=row You Bet guest panelist
1995 scope=row Live from the Lilydrome guest panelist
2007 scope=row Doctor Who (episode "Voyage of the Damned")The Queen (voice) [74]

Radio

Year Title Role Notes
1985 scope=row The Impressionists performer BBC Radio Two [75]
1992 scope=row The Gossip Column Murders Cybil Liberty
1996 scope=row Ned Sherrin's Review of Revue performer [76]
1996 scope=row In the Grip of the Glossies reader [77]
1999 scope=row I Can Do That Radio 4[78]
2002 scope=row Stage Mother, Sequinned Daughter [79]
2006 scope=row Jack Rosenthal's Last Act [80]

Video games

Year Title Notes
2014 Dragon Quest VIII
2010

Publications

YearTitlePublisherISBN
2015Elsie Harris Picture PalaceMiwk Publishing
2019Life Drawing: A Life Under LightsUnbound

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2014Myriad First Graphic Novel CompetitionElsie Harris Picture Palace
2018Off West End AwardsBest Female PerformanceShirleymander
2020Off West End AwardsFull Run: Musicals: Lead PerformanceBlitz![81]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Hayward, Anthony . 1996 . Who's Who on Television . London . . 172 . 075221067X .
  2. Jessica Martin . . London . 14 November 2019 . 25.
  3. News: Burke . Michael . Jessica's face makes a great impression . . 8 April 1986 . 14.
  4. News: Robins . Derek . Her royal request . Staffordshire Sentinel . 28 February 1987 . 10.
  5. News: Riley . Joe . Jessica on song in the South Pacific . . 5 September 1997 . 33.
  6. News: There's more to Jessica . . 22 June 1985 . WP1, WP9.
  7. News: Rory and Jessica quit Central . Sunday Mercury . 29 September 1985 . 3.
  8. News: Madonna – well almost . Staines & Ashford News . 25 June 1987 . 23.
  9. News: Shulman . Milton . Fairy tale treat . Evening Standard . 4 August 1988 . 35.
  10. Web site: Gent . Jay . Cult Q & A: Jessica Martin . https://web.archive.org/web/20201204020019/http://wearecult.rocks/cult-q-a-jessica-martin . 4 December 2020 . We Are Cult . 23 January 2017 .
  11. https://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/s4/episodes/?episode=s0_04&action=factfile Voyage of the Damned – Fact File
  12. Web site: Monty Python's Spamalot . https://web.archive.org/web/20201204020025/https://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/spamalot2011DC-rev.htm . 4 December 2020 . David . Chadderton . British Theatre Guide. 7 February 2011 .
  13. News: Marlowe . Sam . The Dark at the Top of the Stairs . . 25 October 2012 . 10S .
  14. Web site: Full casting announced for Elf at Dominion. Whats on Stage . 18 August 2015 . 28 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190204122302/https://www.whatsonstage.com/west-end-theatre/news/elf-musical-full-casting-announced_38553.html . 4 February 2019 . live .
  15. Web site: Variety Awards Darren Day, Michael Xavier and Jessica Martin Ambassador Status . 5 September 2016. 26 October 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20180720235548/http://bumblescratch.com/news/variety-awards-darren-day-michael-xavier-jessica-martin-ambassador-status/. 20 July 2018. live.
  16. Web site: Review: Bumblescratch (Adelphi Theatre) ★★★★. 12 September 2016. West End Wilma. 5 July 2019. 12 June 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143717/http://www.westendwilma.com/review-bumblescratch-adelphi-theatre/. live.
  17. Web site: Variety Honours Five West End Actors and Musical Directors. variety.org.uk. 26 September 2016. 26 October 2016. 4 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201204020021/https://www.variety.org.uk/news/2016/09/variety-honours-five-west-end-actors-and-musical-directors. live.
  18. News: Billington . Michael . Shirleymander review – timely retelling of chilling Tory scandal . The Guardian . London . 27 May 2018 . 3 December 2020 . 9 November 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201109034258/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2018/may/27/shirleymander-review-gregory-evans . live .
  19. http://www.offwestend.com/index.php/pages/the_offies The Offies
  20. News: Lawrence . Ben . Shirleymander review, Playground Theatre, London W10: memorable encounter with a dubious force of nature . The Daily Telegraph . 25 May 2018 . 11 July 2022 . subscription . 23 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210123214446/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/theatre/what-to-see/shirleymander-review-playground-theatre-london-w10-memorable/ . live .
  21. http://www.themusichallguild.com/news.php The Music Hall Guild – News
  22. https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/74824f8b04a849e3bb72dd8d9b404486 Jessica Martin's Variety
  23. Web site: Jessica Martin – Spitting Image Impressionist, West End Theatre Actor and Graphic Novelist . https://web.archive.org/web/20201204020024/https://wearethecity.com/jessica-martin-spitting-,image-,impressionist-west-end-theatre-actor-and-graphic-novelist/ . 4 December 2020 . Jennifer . Reischel . WeAreTheCity . 15 September 2015.
  24. https://www.hertfordshirelife.co.uk/people/actress-jessica-martin-a-life-in-three-acts-1-5108642 Actress Jessica Martin: a life in three acts
  25. News: Oliver . Andy . Celebrating 2013: Ten UK Small Press Comics You Need to Own . 3 February 2019 . . 2 January 2014 . 4 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201204020031/https://www.brokenfrontier.com/celebrating-2013-ten-uk-small-press-comics-you-need-to-own/ . live .
  26. http://www.brokenfrontier.com/who-made-the-final-six-on-the-myriad-first-graphic-novel-competition-shortlist-find-out-here/ Who Made the Final Six on the Myriad First Graphic Novel Competition Shortlist? Find Out Here!
  27. Adams . Matt . Return of the Werewolf . . 526 . May 2018 . 45–49.
  28. Web site: Paul . Simpson . Interview: Jessica Martin . Sci-Fi Bulletin . 18 October 2018 . 25 August 2022.
  29. News: Jamieson . Teddy . Graphic Content: Bobby Davro, the Bay City Rollers and Me – Jessica Martin on her life in light entertainment . The Herald . 24 July 2019 . 11 July 2022 . 25 May 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220525141206/https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/arts_ents/17791513.graphic-content-bobby-davro-bay-city-rollers---jessica-martin-life-light-entertainment/ . live .
  30. Book: Life Drawing: A Life Under Lights . https://web.archive.org/web/20201204020028/https://unbound.com/books/life-drawing/ . 4 December 2020 . 9781783527588 . Martin . Jessica . July 2019 . Unbound .
  31. Smith . Roy Robert . The Stage . Seen at . 7 June 1984 . 8.
  32. Smith . Roy Robert . The Stage . Seen at: Palace. Jessica Martin . 8 November 1984 . 7.
  33. News: Hammersmith & Shepherds Bush Gazette . Theatre . 6 December 1985 . 22.
  34. The Stage . Panto news . 17 October 1985 . 3.
  35. Davies . Mike . The Stage . Christmas shows: Leicester . 17 October 1985 . 3.
  36. News: Sandwell Evening Mail . Polishing up lamp magic!. 20 December 1986 . 5.
  37. Web site: Plymouth . pantoarchive.com . 11 July 2022 . 2 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210802082331/https://www.pantoarchive.com/plymouth . live .
  38. News: Patrick . Tony . The Times . London . Shows for Christmas . 30 November 1987 . 22.
  39. News: Osborne. Charles . The Daily Telegraph . Babes in the Park. 6 August 1988 . A.XI.
  40. The Stage . Christmas greetings . 15 December 1988 . 34.
  41. News: Barron . Charles . Aberdeen Evening Express . What's on. 1 February 1989 . 9.
  42. News: Benson . Anne . Jessica makes a different impression . Liverpool Echo . 13 April 1993 . 22.
  43. News: P.H.S. . The Times . London . Rising Vamp . 25 November 1994 . 20.
  44. News: The Times . London . Theatre . 9 December 1994 . 42.
  45. The Stage . Production news . 25 April 1996 . 47.
  46. News: Dewey . Mike . Pagers, clockwork cats and gramophones – looking back at BFP adverts for Christmas gifts . Bucks Free Press . 4 December 2021 . .
  47. News: Bali Ha'i is calling our lucky winners . Wirral Globe . 4 September 1997 .
  48. Martland . Lisa . The Stage . Bridewell: Sweeney Todd . 15 June 2000 . 12.
  49. News: Rutherford . Nick . Look back in angora . . 25 August 2004 . 11 July 2022 . 12 July 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220712001203/https://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/news/521741.look-back-angora/ . live .
  50. Web site: Bromley . pantoarchive.com . 11 July 2022 . 2 August 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210802081320/https://www.pantoarchive.com/bromley . live .
  51. News: Stage: Tracey Beaker, Blue On Blue and The Nutcracker . Bracknell Forest Standard . 19 October 2006 .
  52. Smurthwaite . Nick . The Stage . Showpeople: Jessica Martin . 2 September 2010 . 27.
  53. Shelton . Mark. The Stage . Mack and Mabel . 12 July 2012 . 17.
  54. News: Plymouth Evening Herald . It certainly sounds like Jessica Martin has been there, done that and played her, her and her . 5 December 2014 . 8–9.
  55. News: Shuttleworth . Ian . Financial Times. Elf, Dominion Theatre, London – "Infectious enjoyment" . 8 November 2015 .
  56. Web site: Bowie-Sell . Daisy . Denise Van Outen pulls out of Big the Musical . WhatsOnStage . 6 October 2016 . 25 August 2022.
  57. News: Rochdale Observer . Christmas pantomimes and shows in and around Manchester in 2017 . 22 December 2017.
  58. Web site: Herman . Judi . In conversation: Blitz! cast Daniella Schindler & Jessica Martin . Jewish Renaissance. 25 February 2020 . 3 January 2023.
  59. Web site: Goldilocks and the Three Bears . Sardines Magazine . 11 December 2022 . 3 January 2023.
  60. Web site: Jessica Martin . British Film Institute . 28 July 2020 . 4 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201204020112/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2ba18a6498 . dead .
  61. News: BBC1 . Reading Evening Post . 14 August 1985 . 2 .
  62. News: ITV London . Reading Evening Post . 2 November 1985 . 22 .
  63. Web site: Lift Off! . BBC Programme Index . 13 May 1986 . 3 January 2023 .
  64. News: LWT . Staines & Ashford News . 15 May 1986 . 28 .
  65. News: Today's television and radio programmes . The Times . 19 June 1986 . 47 .
  66. News: Last night's TV . Dundee Courier . 11 July 1986 . 4 .
  67. News: HTV . Enniscorthy Guardian . 1 August 1986 . 28 .
  68. News: LWT . Kingston Informer . 8 August 1986 . 16 .
  69. News: Central . Sandwell Evening Mail . 6 September 1986 . 17 .
  70. News: Thomas . Norman . Des is a real disaster . Liverpool Echo . 31 October 1986 . 28 .
  71. News: BBC1 . Sandwell Evening Mail . 20 January 1987. 16 .
  72. Book: Louis Barfe. The Trials and Triumphs of Les Dawson. 1 March 2012. Atlantic Books. 978-0-85789-670-4. 268. 28 July 2020. 4 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201204020029/https://books.google.com/books?id=ksEYD-miBuYC&pg=PT268. live.
  73. Web site: BBC – Doctor Who Classic Episode Guide – The Greatest Show in the Galaxy – Details. BBC. 28 July 2020. 4 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201204020036/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/classic/episodeguide/greatestshow/detail.shtml. live.
  74. Web site: Doctor Who – Fact File – Voyage of the Damned. BBC. 25 December 2007. 28 July 2020. 4 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201204020031/http://www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho/episodes/2007/facts/fact_votd.shtml. live.
  75. News: Radio . Liverpool Echo . 6 March 1985 . 18 .
  76. Web site: Ned Sherrin's Review of Revue . BBC Programme Index . 3 August 1996 . 3 January 2023 .
  77. Web site: In the Grip of the Glossies . BBC Programme Index . 13 December 1996 . 3 January 2023 .
  78. News: Barnard . Peter . Radio Choice . The Times . London . 1 July 1999 . 54 .
  79. Web site: Cogan court action fails . BBC . 26 July 2002 . 28 July 2020 . 4 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201204020050/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/2153025.stm . live .
  80. Web site: Jack Rosenthal's Last Act . BBC . July 2006 . 28 July 2020 . 4 December 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201204020031/http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/jackrosenthalslastact/ . live .
  81. Web site: 2020: Full Run: Musicals: Lead Performance – Jessica Martin – Blitz! . The Offies . 19 January 2022 . 3 January 2023.