Review: You'll be rocking and rolling in the aisles
I certainly wasn’t the only member of the audience who left New Wimbledon Theatre last night rocking and rolling and singing some of Buddy Holly’s hits.
Even though he was ‘before my time’, I was hardly surprised that I knew all the music, not to mention the words to most of the songs, such is the durability of the man’s music today, almost sixty years after his early and tragic death. I defy anyone seeing ‘Buddy’ not to leave the theatre in a great mood, especially after a finale that had the audience on its feet.
Act One tells the story of the early days of the Crickets, performing in their local country radio station in Lubbock, Texas but wanting to play their type of music, Rock and Roll, albeit against the station’s wishes: “Rock and Roll is a communicable disease.”
Despite a recording contract with Decca to play Country music, Buddy and the band continue to persevere and, thanks to an understanding producer, get a break with Norman Petty (Alex Tosh) in New Mexico. Under his management, their career goes from strength to strength.
Act Two is more about the personal side of Buddy’s life as well as the split from the Crickets and his rise to fame as a solo artiste and includes a memorable appearance at the Apollo in Harlem, New York.
Proposing to Marie Elena (Kerry Low) after only 5 hours of knowing her, Buddy settles down to married life but this coincides with him embarking on a major tour along with The Big Bopper and Richie Valens. Since his wife has nightmares as he sets off, Buddy and his companions travel mainly by bus until that fateful day when Marie Elena’s premonition comes true.
Glen Joseph gave an excellent and believable performance as Buddy and he was supported by a multi-talented group of performers and musicians, who take on a variety of roles, including Thomas Mitchells as the Big Bopper and Jordan Cunningham as Richie Valens. I think this is also the first time I’ve seen a Celeste on stage, ably played by Cerys Cruwys-Finnigan as Vi Petty.
Surprisingly, there were a lot of empty seats tonight but the show deserves to be playing to full houses so do try to get down to the New Wimbledon Theatre this week; you’ll have a great time.
By Anne Horsburgh
January 25, 2017