The Buddy Holly Story
WORDS: Tom Bevan (Sprout Editorial Group)
As the New Theatre crowd found their seats and waited for the lights to dim, a buzz of anticipation hung in the air.
Since starting back in 1989, The Buddy Holly Story has enjoyed a fantastic 12 years in the West End, a 225-show Broadway production and numerous worldwide tours, leading to international acclaim.
Celebrating the life and music of Buddy Holly, the revolutionary fifties singer, the show packs in masses of hit songs all written by a man whose life was tragically cut short at the age of just 22.
The production really does do the Texan justice, as it charts his rise in fame through different performances he took part in, beginning at a local radio station, who frowned upon his rock 'n' roll style, right up to his headline appearance on the national Winter Dance Party tour.
The audience act as an audience at each venue he plays at [uh? - ed] but we also get backstage passes into his life. Buddy (Oliver Seymour-Marsh) had ample dexterity and a strong voice and he lead the cast perfectly, getting everyone dancing in their seats.
The whole show was well timed and well acted and this created the platform for the foot-tapping, finger-clicking hits which were sung passionately throughout.
Crowd interaction was key to the show's success and we weren't disappointed. In-between performers of the last concert at the Surf Ballroom, the MC of the night (Alex Parry) would address us as the audience of the historic Iowa venue.
As we were all given paper versions of Buddy's trademark glasses, Parry picked a prizewinner in the audience and wittily complained about how the Brits never seemed to enjoy winning as much Americans.
This interaction built up for a finale which included at least eight amazing songs. His death was handled very poignantly, but it wasn't dwelled upon for too long.
The cast performed two more songs, leaving a message that he still lives on thorough his music. Glancing through the program there are tributes from The Beatles, Eric Clapton and Keith Richards and you got a sense of this admiration in the show.
Electrifying throughout, this show is a stunning tribute to one of rock 'n' roll's greatest.
Let Buddy Holly rave on!
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