Here you come Again

Here you come Again - Greasepaint and Stage Lights - Theatre Radio Show

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Here you come Again

Here you come again

Milton Keynes Theatre

(Review Complete)

(Click here for an audio review)

"Clever idea. A play of many colours"

Review

If I said to you, “Would you like to come and see a show about a 40 year old gay guy. isolating in his parents attic during the COVID lockdown of 2020? Oh, and by the way, he is visited by an incantation of Dolly Parton”. Would you want to come? If I were not reviewing the show I would probably not have bothered myself. Then I would have missed out on this truly bonkers, original and fun evening.

The original American script by Bruce Vilanch and Gabriel Barre (who also directs) has been skilfully adapted by British playwright Jonathan Harvey of “Beautiful Thing” fame and relocated to Halifax, Yorkshire.

We first see a masked Kevin as he climbs in through his attic window, avoiding contact with his vulnerable parents downstairs. In his recreational break from curfew he has just purchased multiple bottles of plonk, a jumbo jar of wotsits, a pack of diazepam and 57 x loo rolls. Harvey’s script references throughout the show bulk buying, washing of hands to Happy Birthday, baking banana bread and banging saucepans for the NHS.

The multi-talented Steven Webb (The Book of Mormon) as Kevin, talks directly to the audience, informing us of his current circumstances giving us an entertaining monologue as he puts away his shopping and tucks into his dinner, winched up by mum from downstairs. Furloughed from his waitering job in a London Comedy Club he has returned back up North and is separated from his older, posh boyfriend, Jeremy. He admits that he has recently reached out to his first love, Sean via a chat room and has had no response. Should he pursue it? With two phone calls Kevin is dumped by Jeremy and let go from his job.

The room is full of his childhood possessions including posters of Dolly Parton. While wondering what he should do next with his life, he puts one of the lady’s LP’s onto the record player and asks “What would Dolly do? Cue dry ice, a bit of magical illusion and Dolly steps out of one of the posters, singing “Here You Come Again”.

Tricia Paoluccio is the 3D embodiment of Dolly, or triple D as she puts it. She is neither an impressionist or an impersonator, she is simple a fine actress and accomplished singer who is Dolly. Her wigs and costumes are impeccable. Backed by a 4 piece band and two backing singers, Kevin is treated to the home concert of his life. The singers Aidan Cutler and Charlotte Elisabeth Yorke deliver beautiful harmonies and also play Mum, Dad, Jeremy and club owner. The band also join in a bit of line dancing.

The rest of the evening is just Dolly sorting Kevin’s life out, interspersed with some familiar and not so familiar songs from Parton’s impressive back catalogue. I Will Always Love You, Jolene, 9 To 5, Love Is Like A Butterfly feature of course, also Gods Colouring Book. Kevin duets as Kenny in Islands In The Stream.

Amid the banter we also get an insight into Dolly’s life. Dollywood, the secret to 50 years of happy marriage, being childless and Dolly’s a dig at poor taste of subject matter for some of her song lyrics. Will Kevin get his happy ending with Sean. What do you think?

The set parts and the musicians join Tricia and Steven in a mini concert, medley of Dolly’s Greatest hits. A fun, toe tapping finale guaranteed to get you on your feet.

Reviewer: Paul St James

We are Gifted tickets so that in return we may give an honest review. All comments are those of the reviewer and theirs alone.