Starting life as a solo project for Bananarama’s Siobhan Fahey, Shakespeare’s Sister were responsible for a clutch of songs which are, in turn, beautiful and bombastic.
Along with American bandmate Marcella Detroit, they had a string of hits including chart-topper Stay (which stayed at number one for eight weeks), You’re History, I Don’t Care, Hello (Turn Your Radio On), I Can Drive and Goodbye Cruel World.
They picked up a Brit award for best video for Stay and an Ivor Novello award for second album, 1992’s Hormonally Yours – which went on to sell a million copies. They headlined the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury in 1992 and supported Prince at Celtic Park at Prince’s personal request.
Siobhan and Marcella had a tumultuous relationship, however, with the pair embroiled in arguments by 1992. The band itself become history a year later, after just five years together. And while Siobhan continued alone for a bit, she also threw in the towel on the project not long after.
Now, Siobhan and ‘Marcy’ are once again together – with fans hoping that this time they ‘stay’. And they are marking their official reunion with a singles collection and tour, which tonight comes to the New Theatre Oxford. And, says Siobhan, it finds them best of friends.
“Neither of us wanted to go into it if there was anything apart from friendship and unity,” she says.
“We did not want a repeat of 1992. Life’s too short. So I think we just explored it slowly. I realised what a perfect writing partner she is for me. There’s some sort of weird fusion of energies that feels fated. It’s like this third entity exists that is neither me nor her, it’s the two of us.”
Shakespears Sister – the miss-spelling was an accident but stuck – released the album Singles Party earlier this year. It features two new tracks: All The Queen’s Horses and C U Next Tuesday, along with classic hits from the duo’s back catalogue.
“There was no stopping this,” says Marcy. “It was like this snowball that just kept on gathering more and more speed.
READ ALSO: Claire Foy and Matt Smith sensational in Lungs at the Old Vic
“I think we’ve come to a point where we respect and understand each other more than we ever could have back then.
“That’s the simplest way to put it. We’ve come to a mutual understanding of and respect for who each other are. It’s just about acceptance – acceptance of who we both are, for each other and to each other.”
The album and tour are not only a fitting tribute to a great – if shortlived – band, but also testament to the power of reconciliation, and a coming together of two talented sisters in rock.
- Shakespears Sister play the New Theatre Oxford today. Tickets from atgtickets.com
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here