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A Star Is Torn
Examines the careers and tragic lives of thirteen women performers including Bessie Smith, Frances Farmer, Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, and Janis Joplin
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
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August 11, 2025
A reread of a timeless, thought-provoking analysis. My original review below still stands, but it’s time for a reprint and an updated edition.
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In 1979 the astonishing Robyn Archer’s solo cabaret show, ‘A Star is Torn,’ began a four-year tour of Australia followed by another twelve month season in the West End.
For Archer, the image of the ‘torn star’ was epitomised in the lives and careers of performers that included the obvious - Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf, Judy Garland - but also those who had died too young, too soon - Janis Joplin, Patsy Klein, Marilyn Monroe - or the-all-but-now-forgotten torch singer Helen Morgan and London music hall queen, Marie Lloyd.
In her show, Archer not only uncannily recreated the essence of these luminaries through her brilliant voice but also explored the way in which they were manipulated, exploited and ultimately ‘torn’ through their inability to conform to both the patriarchal system that moulded them - insisting that they excel as artists, whilst adhering to their expected gender roles as wives or mothers.
This accompanying book, co-authored with Diana Simonds, was written in a very different feminist environment compared to today, with Archer’s passionate, spirited defence ringing true on every page. Angry, eloquent and deeply moving, ‘A Star is Torn’ seeks to rectify the familiar image of these performers as tragic, demanding and often unreasonable individuals, unable to reconcile their private lives with their success, talent and fame.
And for Archer fans, the original vinyl soundtrack is now available on Spotify for added enjoyment.
________________________________
In 1979 the astonishing Robyn Archer’s solo cabaret show, ‘A Star is Torn,’ began a four-year tour of Australia followed by another twelve month season in the West End.
For Archer, the image of the ‘torn star’ was epitomised in the lives and careers of performers that included the obvious - Billie Holiday, Edith Piaf, Judy Garland - but also those who had died too young, too soon - Janis Joplin, Patsy Klein, Marilyn Monroe - or the-all-but-now-forgotten torch singer Helen Morgan and London music hall queen, Marie Lloyd.
In her show, Archer not only uncannily recreated the essence of these luminaries through her brilliant voice but also explored the way in which they were manipulated, exploited and ultimately ‘torn’ through their inability to conform to both the patriarchal system that moulded them - insisting that they excel as artists, whilst adhering to their expected gender roles as wives or mothers.
This accompanying book, co-authored with Diana Simonds, was written in a very different feminist environment compared to today, with Archer’s passionate, spirited defence ringing true on every page. Angry, eloquent and deeply moving, ‘A Star is Torn’ seeks to rectify the familiar image of these performers as tragic, demanding and often unreasonable individuals, unable to reconcile their private lives with their success, talent and fame.
And for Archer fans, the original vinyl soundtrack is now available on Spotify for added enjoyment.
Displaying 1 of 1 review