Buddy at the Churchill Theatre Review

Buddy
The Buddy Holly Story
Churchill Theatre, Bromley

28 January to 1 February 2014

Reviewed by Emma Rogers

Yes it’s Buddy brilliant, yes its Holly moly fantastic and yes, you will be dancing in the aisles!

The story of Buddy Holly’s rise to fame and untimely death has celebrated 25 years as an award winning musical and is now back with a tour of the UK. If you don’t know the ending, it doesn’t matter, go and see this musical anyway!

The cast do an excellent job of keeping up the Christian Texas accents throughout, and along with it, the effervescent optimism of the late 1950s. Little touches like the 50s radio station playing as you enter the theatre, the authentic programmes handed out of the last Holly concert and the way they turn the music down at the end all add to the escapism.

The two actors who play Buddy alternate on different nights, but Glenn Joseph is the star of the show, as well as being general MC and top musician for the night. Joseph epitomises the cheeky Buddy but shows the determination he displayed when it came to making his famous music.

The musicians throughout the show get the crowd involved with most if the numbers. Don’t be fooled into thinking that because the show is a biography it isn’t funny – it is! The scenes in the Harlem Apollo Theatre and the last concert are very original.

My only gripe was that the audience didn’t get involved as much as they could. There are several numbers at the end which get the audience on their feet, but they didn’t warm up until the very end. There are plenty of opportunities to take part in the music throughout!

Anyone who loves the 1950s and the era’s music, or any music, will love to see this history lesson and fill in their blanks of music history.

Rating: 4.5/5

Tickets cost from £12.90 to £35.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).

For more information or to book tickets click here.