If anyone had suggested that the performance I was about to watch, set in the middle of the pandemic was joyous, I would have found it pretty hard to believe. But that is exactly how to describe this musical. It’s also thought provoking, hilarious, and just downright lovely. And the songs are pretty good too.
Written by Bruce Vilanch, Gabriel Barre (also the director), Tricia Paoluccio (also Dolly), and adapted for the UK by acclaimed British playwright Jonathan Harvey (of Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and Coronation Street fame), this UK premiere is set during lockdown, in Kevin’s living area in the attic above his parent’s house. The 40-year-old has recently split up with his boyfriend and things aren’t going well for him.
Kevin, played by Steven Webb, grabs your attention right from the start with his energy and excellent delivery. Even though he’s a one man show for the beginning of the production, he captivates the audience and takes them with him. In his room, full of memorabilia from his younger days, along with all things Dolly, he hilariously re-enacts the strange rituals many of us did during the early days of Covid.
He has just arrived back from the shop when the audience meet him as he climbs back into his attic through the window, and starts inadvertently spraying each item of food, and spraying them again for good measure. Memories come flooding back as Webb manages to capture that snapshot in time in a unique and entertaining way.
Dolly superfan Kevin is struggling with the realities of life and love when his imagination conjures up a real life Parton, who saves him in a really down to earth way and gives him a whole new perspective on life. Dolly, played by the aforementioned Tricia Paoluccio, is, well, Dolly. She has it all, the voice, the looks and the warmth you would expect from the character.
Aidan Cutler and Charlotte Elisabeth Yorke who play background actors including Kevin’s mum, dad, Kevin’ boss, and his ex, Jeremy, also provide backing vocals and work seamlessly with the characters of Kevin and Dolly.
Costumes for the show are incredible. Dolly’s just epitomise the famous lady herself in four very different, but all totally Dolly, creations.
One of my favourite parts of the show has to be Kevin in full blonde wig strutting his stuff. He is massively entertaining and hugely energetic and the whole scene choreographed by Lizzi Gee is an absolute joy.
The set by Paul Wills is perfect for the production, encapsulating the mundane with the magic just right. The attic is crammed to the seams with nostalgia and nick nacks with fairy lights giving it a magical feel. You can’t help but find something new each time you look up.
The creative lighting sets the mood for each scene, from Kevin moping about his ex-boyfriend to the bright lights of the performances. The audience is made to feel part of the production and there’s even a moment when we get the chance to wave our phone lights and the whole auditorium is aglow.
With numbers including Jolene, 9 to 5, Love is like a Butterfly, Islands in the Stream, I Will Always Love You, and the titular Here You Come Again, this is one musical you will not want to miss.
This performance fully deserved the standing ovation, it’s fun, hugely entertaining, heartwarming and hilarious in equal measure.
★★★★★
Here you come Again is at Curve until Saturday June 15. Tickets £10-£44.50
ACCESS PERFORMANCES: Captioned: Wed 12 Jun, 7.30pm. Audio Described: Sat 15 Jun, 2.15pm with a Touch Tour from 12.45pm.
