REVIEW
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
HERE YOU COME AGAIN
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea, Essex
20-24 August 2024
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
HERE YOU COME AGAIN
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea, Essex
20-24 August 2024
Despite being a huge Dolly Parton fan, I almost didn’t come to see this Dolly inspired production. Another jukebox musical isn’t really what we need right now in an already saturated market. However, the big surprise here is that, thankfully, this show doesn’t do what it says on the tin. In fact, from a production point of view, I would consider re-advertising this show as more of a comedy play which incorporates the songs of Dolly Parton.
The writers, two-time Emmy award-winning comedy and songwriter Bruce Vilanch with Gabriel Barre (who also directs) and Tricia Paoluccio (who also plays Dolly), are clearly huge fans of country music sensation, Dolly Parton, and have certainly done their research when it comes to quoting some of Dolly’s wise words and famous quotes, which frankly could lift anyone out of a funk, but what they have also cleverly done, is to produce writing that feels completely investable as well as being ‘laugh out loud’ funny.
Basically what I’m trying to say is that if you’re heading to this production expecting a night of dancing along to Dolly hits accompanied by a few Proseccos, you may be disappointed. Sure, this show has its cheeky moments and there are plenty of iconic hits - Jolene, Islands in the Stream, 9-5, I Will Always Love You and, of course, the title song, Here You Come Again (my favourite Dolly song) but there are also plenty of lesser known, yet delightful songs which fit perfectly into the narrative but may not fulfil some audience members’ expectations, especially if you’re there just for a boozy Dolly singalong.
I couldn’t make press night on Tuesday so went along last night where understudy, Aidan Cutler was in the role of Kevin, the wannabe comedian who’s been dumped by his boyfriend just as the pandemic has begun and the world has been forced into lockdown. Die-hard Dolly fan, Kevin, is reluctantly living in his old bedroom in his parent’s attic which, amongst all the usual attic clutter, is practically a shrine to Dolly Parton, full of posters and memorabilia. He is full of self pity and loathing for the situation he finds himself in and, just like in all good old fashioned movies, somehow subliminally manifests Dolly to magically appear, where she attempts to find a solution to his woes with her wealth of life experiences, song and a little bit of magic to boot too!
Cutler is fabulous in the role of Kevin proving he has great comedy bones and puts in a wonderful performance full of energy, as well as pathos. For me, he is perfect casting.
As soon as she hits the stage, Tricia Paoluccio is just the ultimate embodiment of Dolly Parton. Every note and intonation in her voice is spot on and her vocals are probably the closest to Dolly’s I’ve ever heard. Of course Paoluccio is an accomplished actress in her own right having appeared in many US tv shows including Homeland, Law & Order, and Chicago Med amongst many others, and she totally nails this role in every way.
The accompanying musicians/backing singers on stage who take on the roles of mum, dad, boss and boyfriend blend well into the scenes and play wonderfully too.
Here You Come Again originated and toured the US before it came to the UK and has been tweaked for UK audiences by writer, Jonathan Harvey (Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and Coronation Street). It’s a great script although the storyline is perhaps a little predictable and could maybe take on a little more pace. That said, this show is hugely enjoyable and great fun.
Personally, I don’t think this is a ‘girls night out’ or ‘hen night’ show; if that’s what you’re after then go and see a Dolly tribute act. This show deserves bigger audiences and a lot of respect for its performers, something unfortunately a few audience members at last night’s show were sadly lacking. This show actually has some depth to it, although it's definitely not without a small and essential dollop of cheesiness; but it also provides lots more genuine laughs than groans. The comedy/pathos balance is just right; and if you really want to get up and involved then there’s the opportunity to dance and sing along after the bows. This is a show that surpassed expectations. Dolly fans won’t be disappointed.
Here You Come Again continues all week til Saturday with matinees.
Review: Kim Tobin
The writers, two-time Emmy award-winning comedy and songwriter Bruce Vilanch with Gabriel Barre (who also directs) and Tricia Paoluccio (who also plays Dolly), are clearly huge fans of country music sensation, Dolly Parton, and have certainly done their research when it comes to quoting some of Dolly’s wise words and famous quotes, which frankly could lift anyone out of a funk, but what they have also cleverly done, is to produce writing that feels completely investable as well as being ‘laugh out loud’ funny.
Basically what I’m trying to say is that if you’re heading to this production expecting a night of dancing along to Dolly hits accompanied by a few Proseccos, you may be disappointed. Sure, this show has its cheeky moments and there are plenty of iconic hits - Jolene, Islands in the Stream, 9-5, I Will Always Love You and, of course, the title song, Here You Come Again (my favourite Dolly song) but there are also plenty of lesser known, yet delightful songs which fit perfectly into the narrative but may not fulfil some audience members’ expectations, especially if you’re there just for a boozy Dolly singalong.
I couldn’t make press night on Tuesday so went along last night where understudy, Aidan Cutler was in the role of Kevin, the wannabe comedian who’s been dumped by his boyfriend just as the pandemic has begun and the world has been forced into lockdown. Die-hard Dolly fan, Kevin, is reluctantly living in his old bedroom in his parent’s attic which, amongst all the usual attic clutter, is practically a shrine to Dolly Parton, full of posters and memorabilia. He is full of self pity and loathing for the situation he finds himself in and, just like in all good old fashioned movies, somehow subliminally manifests Dolly to magically appear, where she attempts to find a solution to his woes with her wealth of life experiences, song and a little bit of magic to boot too!
Cutler is fabulous in the role of Kevin proving he has great comedy bones and puts in a wonderful performance full of energy, as well as pathos. For me, he is perfect casting.
As soon as she hits the stage, Tricia Paoluccio is just the ultimate embodiment of Dolly Parton. Every note and intonation in her voice is spot on and her vocals are probably the closest to Dolly’s I’ve ever heard. Of course Paoluccio is an accomplished actress in her own right having appeared in many US tv shows including Homeland, Law & Order, and Chicago Med amongst many others, and she totally nails this role in every way.
The accompanying musicians/backing singers on stage who take on the roles of mum, dad, boss and boyfriend blend well into the scenes and play wonderfully too.
Here You Come Again originated and toured the US before it came to the UK and has been tweaked for UK audiences by writer, Jonathan Harvey (Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and Coronation Street). It’s a great script although the storyline is perhaps a little predictable and could maybe take on a little more pace. That said, this show is hugely enjoyable and great fun.
Personally, I don’t think this is a ‘girls night out’ or ‘hen night’ show; if that’s what you’re after then go and see a Dolly tribute act. This show deserves bigger audiences and a lot of respect for its performers, something unfortunately a few audience members at last night’s show were sadly lacking. This show actually has some depth to it, although it's definitely not without a small and essential dollop of cheesiness; but it also provides lots more genuine laughs than groans. The comedy/pathos balance is just right; and if you really want to get up and involved then there’s the opportunity to dance and sing along after the bows. This is a show that surpassed expectations. Dolly fans won’t be disappointed.
Here You Come Again continues all week til Saturday with matinees.
Review: Kim Tobin
