Love Has Power

Stage Whispers is sharing the final song performed at the public memorial to Jon English, as a lasting tribute to the 66 year old singer/actor/composer who died on March 10.

The entire cast – led by John Waters – joined together on the stage of the Capitol Theatre to sing Love has Power from the Jon English/David Mackay musical Paris.

There was barely a dry eye among the almost 2000 fans at the memorial concert, held on April 4.

Some fans had queued from before dawn to get the best seats.

Long-time stage colleague Simon Gallaher was one of the speakers.

“Jon always said being on stage was the most fun you could have with your clothes on,” he said.

He revealed that Jon English once attempted to give up smoking, but it only lasted a few weeks.

"One afternoon, I come in and there he is in his dressing room having a fag," Gallaher said.

"I said 'mate what you doing?!', he said 'Oh mate I had to, my voice was starting to clear up'."

Gallaher performed a rendition of Jon English’s hit song Six Ribbons. Playing the guitar was Jon’s son Johnathan.

Jon English’s untimely death has been felt all over Australia.

In Warragul – an hour out of Melbourne - the cast of the Warragul Theatre Company was devastated when they heard the news.

The company is performing Paris in May. http://www.warragultheatrecompany.org.au/paris2016.htm

Jon English visited the company just three weeks before he died. He's pictured below, with company members outside the YarramClub Hotel, and signing posters for the company.

Company member Kate Dougan said Jon delighted the cast and crew by spending time with them on February 21.

“I will cherish the memory of when I said to him I was the Production Manager and Stage Manager. He just winked and said ‘Ah the boss!!’  I tear up just writing this. I wonder if he ever knew how special he was.”

The May season has been dedicated to Jon with a seat left empty in his honour.