REVIEW: Buddy
- Posted on January 21, 2008 4:16 PM
- 0 comments
Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story
Duchess Theatre, London
January 2008
Review by Katie Spain
Are you a Buddy Holly fan?
Think hard before you answer… if you’re anything like me, you might know all his songs by heart and not even realise it. It took West End musical to drag the inner Buddy fan out of me. I’ve even got the plastic black specs to prove it.
When the world’s most successful Rock’n’Roll musical hit London, I knew I’d have to give it a whirl. Having never met the late Mr Holly (and it’s a fair bet you didn’t either), I wasn’t sure it’d hit my ‘West End’ spot. Take my word for it... this rockin’, twirling, toe-tapping rendezvous is the closest you’ll ever get to the real Buddy experience. These days, musicals tend to involve an overwhelming melting pot of corny tunes, exaggerated facial expressions and cringe-worthy clichés. Sure, it’s fun but sometimes you just want a bit of factual substance served up with your cheese sandwich.
‘Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story’ reveals something altogether different. Hallelujah, praise the theatre Gods above! You won’t find any old-school songs incorporated in cringe-worthy scenes here; just a real story accentuated by real songs. Better still, the hits are played the way they were always meant to – live. I had to adjust my fake black specs and seek confirmation about what I was seeing. “Are the actors really playing those instruments?”
It seems that ‘playing’ is an understatement. Throughout the production’s history, 150,000 guitar strings have been replaced and over 171,875 Plectrums used. Eat your heart out Led Zep. Dean Elliot wears Buddy Holly’s talent-packed shoes with captivating ease. We love him instantly. It’s enough to make a warm blooded female wish she’d given the class clown a chance.
The tunes fit the plot like a well worn slipper – and the audience is treated to a two-and-a-half hour concert. Over twenty of Holly’s greatest hits rain down on upturned faces. “Peggy Sue”, “That’ll be the Day”, “Oh Boy”, “Rave On”, “Heartbeat” and “Raining in my Heart” may be over fifty years old, but they’re as catchy today as they were in their heyday.
Not only was the music spot on, the vibe mirrored that of a swinging 50s Rock concert. Sure, the elderly pensioners in the front row couldn’t swing it like they used to, but purple rinsed barnets bobbed as much as their aged necks would allow. Even the usher couldn’t keep his voice down. No doubt he’s had more viewings than roast dinners and still, the musical brings him irrepressible joy.
No wonder this show has been seen by more than 20 million people in over 16,000 performances worldwide; the actors seem to love it. The story is a good ‘un too. During the musical, the audience follows Buddy on his journey from the early days in Texas with Buddy Holly & the Crickets, through to recording studios in New York and finally to his tragic death at the age of twenty-two. There’s even space for a small love story. Well known musicians Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson (‘Big Bopper’) also drop in for a boogie. Miguel Angel and Lee Ormsby play the respective roles with gusto; Angel’s pert butt cheeks are certainly worthy of an encore.
This is a gripping tale of a musical master’s all-too fleeting career. Forget text books – you can’t beat this history lesson for music lovers of all ages. You can bet your ‘Buddy’ dollar you’ll come out smiling. After all, isn’t that the way music was meant to be?
I’ve since booked a course of 50s dance lessons and purchased the album. Never before has a musical had such an impact. I guess some legends deserve to live on. Make sure you get your slice of the Rock’n’Roll pie.
Running Time: 2 hrs 20 (including interval).
Co-written by Alan Janes and Rob Bettinson, and directed by Bettinson and produced by Janes.
Get your Buddy tickets here.
Buddy The Musical - official site.
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