Here You Come Again at Theatre Royal Nottingham Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Louise Edwards
Here You Come Again is a new musical on a national tour. Featuring Dolly Parton’s hits such as Islands in the Stream, 9to5, Jolene and I Will Always Love You to name a few this is a feel good musical with lots of humour and toe-tapping tunes.
The stage is set as a teenage attic room and entering via a ladder throwing in shopping and lots of loo rolls we meet Kevin, played by Steven Webb (Oliver, The Book of Mormon, The History Boys). The year is 2021 and we are deep in the pandemic. Forty-year-old comedy writer and organiser, Kevin has found himself living back at his parents’ home in Halifax. His wealthy boyfriend in London has ended their relationship and he feels alone and vulnerable. He only has his Dolly Parton posters and albums for the company.
As he puts on a Dolly Parton album in a flash of light the real Dolly appears from a poster. Played by long time Dolly Parton fan Tricia Paoluccio (who is also involved in writing the show), who has an incredible voice that could be mistaken for the real country singer herself.
Clearly, she is a manifestation of Kevin’s imagination but she guides him through his troubles with some of her songs to illustrate how he can face adversity and win. Just like his own fairy godmother! Something we could have all done with at times in the pandemic!!
Joining them on stage are backing vocalists Aidan Cutler and Charlotte Elisabeth Yorke who also voice other characters such as Kevin’s parents, his boyfriend and his boss. Also on stage were Dolly’s talented band, Jordan Li-Smith on Keyboard, Alex Akira Crawford on guitar, Bem Scott on drums, Kevin Oliver Jones on bass and harmonica.
As the show opened we weren’t quite sure what to make of it but as the humour flowed, with lots of references to some of the more amusing and slightly crazier sides to the pandemic we thoroughly enjoyed the show. There are bittersweet and emotional sides to the story as well as the laugh out loud moments and it is cleverly entwined with Dolly Parton songs to hum and clap along to.
Written by Bruce Vilanch, directed by Gabriel Barre and adapted for the UK stage by Jonathan Harvey this is a must for fans of Dolly Parton (and who isn’t!) and also for anyone who loves a reminder that there is always someone worse off than yourself!
The show runs for 2 hours 20minutes with a 20 minute interval and by the end of the night everyone gave the cast a well deserved standing ovation before dancing and singing away to a Dolly Parton medley of songs – the perfect evening!
Rating: 5/5
Tickets cost from £20 (booking fees may apply).
The New Dolly Parton Musical – Here You Come Again is at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham until Saturday 13 July 2024, for more information or to book tickets visit https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/the-new-dolly-parton-musical/
or call the box office on 0115 989 5555.