Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield Review
Buddy
The Buddy Holly Story
Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
9-14 June 2014
Reviewed by Jo Richardson
Last night (9 June) my husband and I went to see Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield.
The theatre is located in the city centre with ample parking within a five minute walking distance and local rail, bus and tram networks also an option.
The play was a chronological story of Buddy Holly’s life starting in 1956 when he got his first recording contract, performing with his band The Crickets.
The play is light-hearted and offers great humour at times. Buddy’s biggest hits are played and the audience is encouraged to sing along and clap to the songs. Peggy Sue, That Will Be The Day, Maybe Baby and Listen to Me we’re personal favourites. My husband and I were singing and clapping through many of the big performances. The singing ability of all cast members was fantastic, and really added to the performance.
The storyline talks of the rivalry between country and western music and rock and roll. At the start of Buddy’s career he was singing country and western music and struggled to gain a recording contract to sing his preferred rock and roll brand. Buddy and The Crickets managed to get their big break and began recording rock and roll under a little known recording label. From here they secured number one hits and their fame began to rise. Buddy and his band went from strength to strength. A performance at the Harlem Theatre, New York was a particular highlight of the evening.
The storyline then moves onto Buddy’s private life and his romance with Maria Elena. The audience are shown how they met and their instant attraction to one another.
Although the ending is a tragic one, it was excellently thought through and delivered impeccably. You are left feeling a sense of injustice that such a wonderful musical talent died so young, and understand the impact his songs had on the music industry in a relatively short career.
An excellent production well worth seeing.
Rating: 5/5 
Tickets cost from £19 to £32 (may be subject to a transaction fee).
Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story is at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield until 14 June. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0114 249 6000.
Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA | Box Office 0114 249 6000
