The poignant life story of much-loved singer Eva Cassidy is told in a new tribute performance, starring former Hollyoaks actor Sarah Jane Buckley.

Songbird: The Music of Eva Cassidy celebrates the life of the American singer who died from skin cancer in 1996, aged just 33, years before her music caught the attention of broadcaster Terry Wogan and was catapulted to stardom.

Sarah Jane, who played Kathy Barnes in the popular soap, says: “It takes you on a very emotional journey, but there’s also lots of happiness to the show. It’s a celebration of her music as well as a tribute to her life.”

After Eva’s haunting version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow was discovered by the British public, she quickly became a favourite with music lovers for her soulful folk style.

A video recording of the Washington-born musician performing the song at the Blues Alley Jazz Club in her home town was shown on the BBC’s Top of The Pops 2, and subsequently sales of her album Songbird outstripped top stars including Madonna, Craig David and Robbie Williams.

Sarah Jane, the 47-year-old West End performer and leading tribute act, says: “When she sang, Eva breathed in a different place from a normal singer so when she took a breath it kind of coincided with where she took a chord. That’s why her songs are so different, with that breathiness and very individual style of singing, which was amazing to have to copy. She had an incredible gift.

The Guildford School of Acting graduate explains it was not easy to recreate Eva’s unique sound, and says: “In the past, I’d always sung as myself.

“Performing in the style of someone as vocally iconic as Eva Cassidy required a lot of practice but, the thing is, because there’s very little footage of her on the internet, you don’t really see her visually.”

Although well-known for her role in Hollyoaks, Sarah Jane started her career as a singer and made her television début aged 17 on ITV talent show, Scramble, hosted by Richard and Judy. She has also featured in stage shows including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Elvis the Musical.

Songbird: The Music of Eva Cassidy, Harpenden Public Halls, Southdown Road, Harpenden, Friday, February 27, 7.30pm. Details: 01582 762880, harpendenpublichalls.co.uk