Guest Blog: Joshua Mumby Talks THE BLUES BROTHERS

Welcome to a day in the life of a rock star!

OK, so I'm going to start by admitting it's not a completely accurate statement, but on the whole, all the cool things are pretty much in there. All of them. The reason that I say is because essentially Dave and I (Dave plays my brother in the show, Jake Blues) have found ourselves saying that statement more and more often.

We're still in previews - press night is tonight, gulp - but wow, what a couple of shows they have been! We really got a taste of the rock star lifestyle when we got to play West End Live a few weeks ago. There were I don't know how many thousands of people there, and it really felt like a gig that John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd (the original Blue Brothers) would have done back in the Eighties.

The crowd went wild, and after we'd done a couple of interviews and selfies, we were blown away by the response. We felt so lucky to have been able to play to such an amazing and huge crowd.

Since we showed up at the Hippodrome Casino to start teching the show, we've been treated so well. Everyone at the theatre is so excited about us being here. The bar staff dress up as the brothers every day, and they serve a Blues Brothers-related menu - both food and drink. Anyone fancy one of Jake's Orange Whips? We also feel pretty rock star-like when there's a table in the bar with drinks on it for us after the show.

When these characters were first dreamed up, they wanted to bring this incredible music to the masses and make more people aware of the legendary artists who were still very much around. Now, we're able to do that. Granted it's not on the same scale, appearing on national TV, releasing albums and making a movie - yet, ha! - but it's still incredible to perform this music and see people so happy, singing and dancing along. It's a real privilege.

I've been playing Elwood Blues on and off for about 13 years. Initially, I was part of a two-man backing track jobbie - a cabaret act for all intents and purposes; we did the pub and club circuit up north close to home, Grimsby - as well as the occasional open-air summer concert and anything else we were asked to do.

This included auditioning for the pilot of what was to become Britain's Got Talent, at that time known as Paul O'Grady's Got Talent. However, whilst in character, I managed to upset a top ITV boss's other half just before we went into the audition room - but that's a whole other story!

After that particular incarnation of the show, I then played the role up at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and that's really when I got a taste of the Blues Brothers rock star vibe. Towards the end of the first show back in 201,1 the audience was grabbing our feet and they even stormed the stage during the last couple of numbers.

After that production, I was brought on board as director, and from then on collaborated with Judi Belushi - she provides creative support, offering up songs and dialogue ideas. When I was putting together the Xmas Special version, she asked me to put in a Christmas song that John and Dan wanted to record but never got around to before John passed away. So, to be able to perform that song with their blessing was awesome.

Blues Brothers is really unlike most shows; there is a massive cult following. Last night, for example, a gentleman sang every word of every song in the show. I mean really - he knew every quote and every move that we made. And it's infectious. By the time we got into Act Two, the audience were on their feet singing and dancing along.

As director, I knew from the kick-off I needed the band get them involved with everything. They appear on stage, with no music in front of them, singing, dancing, acting and interacting with the audience. They breathe the life into the show and I genuinely think it sets ours apart from any other, Blues Brothers or otherwise. The cast, too, blow my socks off - such talent, with incredible voices and boy do they have the moves.

Anyway, we are absolutely loving this show, this venue and these audiences, so if you do come down please say hello to us afterwards - it's always great to be able to thank people for coming!

The Blues Brothers - Summer Special at the Hippodrome until 26 August. Book tickets here

Watch a trailer below!

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