Here You Come Again - The new Dolly Parton Musical (UK Tour)
The King's Theatre, Glasgow | 1 October 2024 | ⭐⭐⭐
I don't know what I expected from "the new Dolly Parton musical" but it wasn't this!
If, like me, you know little about this show before heading into the theatre, you may be in for a surprise. Yes it contains many of Dolly Parton's biggest hits, but this is not Dolly's story. Rather it's the story of 40 year old Kevin (Steven Webb), a struggling comedian who finds himself quarantined alone in his parents attic during the Covid pandemic.
Kevin has split from his boyfriend and is back living in his childhood home in Yorkshire. Confined to his bedroom in the attic during the Covid lockdown, Kevin's parents pass food and other items up to him on disinfected trays. Alone with his thoughts and surrounded by belongings from his youth, Kevin is reunited with a much-loved old record player and his cherished Dolly Parton albums. When he enters crisis mode, Dolly comes to life via a poster (literally) and helps him through his troubles via her brilliant back catalogue of songs.
Yes it is 100% as bonkers as it sounds! It's like a Dolly Parton cheese dream. Dolly appears like a Fairy Godmother or Jiminy Cricket type character when a struggling fan needs her most. When Kevin wonders "What Would Dolly Do?" who better to answer that question than Dolly herself.
'Here You Come Again' is playing the largest theatres in Glasgow and Edinburgh, but it's not a full-scale musical with the large cast, multiple sets and company of dancers we normally see with UK touring productions. 'Here You Come Again' is essentially a two person show: it's just Kevin and Dolly (Tricia Paoluccio). The set remains the same throughout too: we're in Kevin's cluttered attic bedroom. There's absolutely nothing wrong with these things - it's just not what I expected.
The creatives must be applauded for doing something different. 'Here You Come Again' is not the biography of Dolly's life - although I think there is absolutely a place for that; she's had a fascinating life after all. But neither is it a typical jukebox musical. Dolly's songs are sung here by an imagined version of Dolly herself. And they are superb.
'Here You Come Again' is fully authorised by Dolly Parton and it's packed with some of her most iconic songs such as 'Jolene', '9 to 5', 'Islands in the Stream', 'I Will Always Love You' and 'Here You Come Again' as well as some more obscure numbers. A segment that examines some of Dolly's more grim, heartbreaking subjects for her songs was the highlight of the show for me.
'Here You Come Again' was originally written by multi-Emmy award-winning comedy and songwriter Bruce Vilanch with Gabriel Barre (who also directs), and writer and actor Tricia Paoluccio, who co-writes and stars as Dolly. After several successful regional runs across the United States, it has now been adapted by acclaimed British TV and theatre writer Jonathan Harvey (Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and Coronation Street), has been relocated from Texas to the UK, and has an exceptional British Actor in the lead role of Kevin (Steven Webb.)
Broadway star Tricia Paoluccio is remarkable as Dolly; she speaks and sings exactly like her. She truly embodies the spirit that has made Dolly an enduring icon. Dolly's songs are notoriously difficult to perform but Tricia didn't falter on a single note. No wonder Dolly approves! She's fabulous.
West End star Steven Webb is exquisite as Kevin. His stage presence is unmatched and his comic timing is outstanding. Webb is a first-rate, engaging performer who filled the stage with his personality. His enedering, funny, likeable Kevin goes a long way to make this show a success.
Joining the pair on stage on occasion are an excellent four-piece live band who also provide the voices for Kevin's parents and some of the other characters. The live music is a welcome addition to this play, but their entry and exits on stage were a little awkward and distracting at times.
The book is fine - warm and kooky - but it's merely a vehicle for Dolly's songs. It is however very funny in the hands of Webb, with some genuine laugh out loud moments. Paul Wills' set is pretty, if a little busy, with colourful, twinkling lights adding to the ethereal feeling of the overall experience. The costume design is stunning with plenty of rhinestones and nods to Dolly's country music origins. There are many quick costumes changes for both lead performers during the show and they are all brilliantly conceived.
The music and Dolly herself are of course the main draw here and I expect this show will divide audiences for exactly that reason. For example: I loved the comedy / horror version of 'Jolene' but purists may not appreciate such deviations. I also don't mind the offbeat storyline, but those hoping for Dolly to be the star may be disappointed to find that it's Kevin. There is however hope for diehard Dolly fans: at the end of the show Kevin's bedroom set is pushed aside and fans are treated to the mini Dolly concert they've been waiting for. And it's brilliant!
There's no denying the charm of this musical and it's joyful message about life and love. It's certainly original and I think it does celebrate the delightful icon that is Dolly Parton.
Set your expectations for a piece of light-hearted frivolous fun.
⭐⭐⭐
'Here You Come Again' is at The King's Theatre, Glasgow from Tues 24 to Sat 28 September 2024 and then BACK AGAIN in 2025! | Jump to tour listings & tickets
📸 production photos: Hugo Glendenning
Watch Tricia Paoluccio sing 'Here You come Again' here:
Here You Come Again Cast
Tricia Paoluccio Dolly Parton
Steven Webb Kevin
Aidan Cutler Backing vocals and understudy Kevin
Charlotte Elisabeth Yorke Backing vocals and understudy Dolly
Austin Garrett Swing and understudy Kevin
The Band
Jordan Li-Smith
Luke Adams
Ben Scott
Kevin Oliver Jones
Here You Come Again tickets
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Here You Come Again is at The King's Theatre Glasgow NOW from Tues 1 to Sun 6 October 2024 AND due to demand, it's back again from Tues 21 to Sat 25 January 2025.
King's Theatre, Glasgow tickets
⚠️ Age guidance: 11+ | Running time: 2 hours 20 minutes including interval
After its UK premiere in Leeds, the tour then continues to:
Curve Theatre, Leicester | Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Arts Theatre, Cambridge | Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury
Theatre Royal, Nottingham | Malvern Theatres, Malvern | Playhouse Theatre, Edinburgh
His Majesty’s Theatre, Aberdeen | Cliffs Pavilion, Southend | Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff
Theatre Royal, Brighton | Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham | Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield
Richmond Theatre, Richmond | King’s Theatre, Glasgow | Theatre Royal, Norwich
Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham | New Victoria Theatre, Woking | The Lowry, Salford
Theatre Royal, Bath | Milton Keynes Theatre, Milton Keynes | Grand Theatre, Blackpool
before concluding at the Empire Theatre, Liverpool.
London West End Tickets | 6 WEEKS ONLY
Riverside Studios, London | 10 December 2024 – 18 January 2025
What's on Glasgow Theatre
➡️ Coming soon to Glasgow King's Theatre: 101 Dalmatians, Bat Out of Hell, Dear Evan Hansen and Tina!
➡️ Coming soon to The Theatre Royal, Glasgow: Only fools and Horses the musical, Disney's Aladdin, SIX, War Horse and Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake!
Newly announced and on sale now at Edinburgh Playhouse
Here You Come Again review, Dolly Parton Musical, UK Tour, Glasgow, Glasgow King's Theatre, Tricia Paoluccio, Steven Webb
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🎟️ Disclosure: I was invited to review this show and received a complimentary ticket in exchange. Neither the venue nor show has a say in what I write. I'm completely independent and invites have no impact on my analysis or star ratings.
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