By Michelle Rawlins
You don’t need to be a fan of Dolly Parton to love this joyous, rollicking new musical. Here you Come Again will have you laughing our loud one minute, holding back tears the next. Not to mention dancing in the aisles to a mega mix of all the iconic star’s songs that have spanned the last seven decades.
This fabulously executed Leeds Playhouse production is adapted for the UK by acclaimed British playwright, Jonathan Harvey. It was originally written by multi Emmy-award-winning comedy and songwriter Bruce Vilanch and Gabriel Barre and is a story of love, sorrow and resilience. Set during the Covid pandemic when Parton-obsessed superfan, Kevin, finds himself encamped in his parent’s attic in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. It’s lockdown, the world has come to a grinding halt and poor, downtrodden Kevin, has been dumped by his London-based hedge fund boyfriend.
Kevin – performed exquisitely by Steven Webb – believes, at 40, that his life is crashing down around him. But then he meets his imaginary guardian angel, Dolly, who bursts out of a life size poster of herself in a whirl of sequins, glitter and flashing lights. With the warmth Parton is known for, she is determined to show her gloomy, but highly amusing, charge that he doesn’t have to resort to the bottom of a wine bottle or a handful of sleeping pills but can once again enjoy life.
What follows is scene after scene filled with brilliantly entertaining one-liners, allowing Webb to show off his highly energetic and comedic skills. From donning a silver jacket and a sequinned dress as he joins in Parton’s songs, to revealing his more sensitive side, when he shows the raw heartache of a romantic break up, he’s got it all. And it has to be said – he’s a little bit sexy too.
The star’s musical songbook is of course the central spine of this two-hour show. There are a few lesser-known tunes thrown into the mix, but for the hardcore, and virgin-Parton fans alike, they won’t be disappointed. Jolene, 9 to 5, I Will Always Love You, and the worldwide hit, Islands in the Stream, originally written by the Bee Gees, are all belted out.
Tricia Paoluccio, who co-wrote the original production, embodies Dolly to an astonishing level. The voice, the body language, the dancing, is simply sublime. She perfectly replicates Parton’s humour, wit, and positivity, leaving the audience in awe of her musical storytelling.
This isn’t a biography, but references to Parton’s own colourful, and at times harrowing, life, allow lovers of the country and western star to follow a cleverly created, dual, storyline.
For years Dolly Parton has been credited for healing fans through her music. And this formidable production, approved by the star herself, isn’t simply a testimony to her, but a beautifully created show which leaves you smiling until the very final note comes to an end.
Here you Come Again is showing Until June 8 2024, then touring nationally. Tickets are available here
Pics by Hugo Glendinning