What manifests as a love letter to Dolly Parton’s genius, as well as a story of overcoming life’s obstacles, Here You Come Again is unique in that the music compliments the story but isn’t reliant on it. The moments where there is music, it’s often used to help emphasise and enhance the moment in the story, and rarely feels like it's slotted in randomly. The power of Dolly’s storytelling is always like a life moment in a 2-minute song, and the character reflects on these to help and inspire the show’s protagonist to change his life for the better.
The plot follows Kevin, a 40-year-old man who has moved back in with his parents as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. Feeling in a tricky place in life, he seeks advice from his idol Dolly Parton. Dolly comes to life out of Kevin’s poster takes on a human form and uses her music and experiences to help Kevin realise that things will be ok and that he has so much in front of him. The show has already had life in a US touring run and now makes its way to the UK with a story by Bruce Vilanch and Directed and Co-Authored by Gabriel Barre. Some tweaks since its US run have been made to the story by Jonathan Harvey to reflect British audiences and I think these work well.
This show is also the ultimate feel-good tonic in that it features some of Dolly Parton’s biggest hits like Island’s in the Stream, and 9 to 5, as well as a mix of softer more emotional numbers like Love is Like a Butterfly and Me and Little Andy. These songs are used to help Dolly bestow words of wisdom on Kevin. As a show, you will walk away with a sense that things will get better soon. It’s an incredibly inspiring message to each audience member and through Kevin’s arch, you realise that we are all a bit of Kevin sometimes where we think things won’t improve, but over the corner things will be better.
Leading the cast is Tricia Paoluccio who plays Dolly Parton and is also a co-writer of the show. Being a lifelong fan of Dolly Parton, Tricia’s energy is perfect for the role and brilliantly delivers a spot-on Dolly Parton. Tricia has a powerful vocal reflective of Dolly Parton and nails the characteristics of the performer. Stephen Webb also shines as Kevin. Bringing great energy to the role, as well as capturing the character's more softer and reflective moments, Stephen Webb is well cast in the role. The two other performers are Adian Cutler and Charlotte Elisabeth Yorke who play the backing vocalists and understudy the leading roles. They commitment the piece well and give extra extra energy and vocal to the production.
Set and costume designer Paul Wills delivers a muti-use single set with Kevin’s mum’s house being the story’s only location. However, the set has many levels, and this works well when the backing singers come in from the attic area, and there are various entrances and exits through the doors and windows of the property. Co-produced by Leeds Playhouse and Simon Friend Entertainment, this piece looks to conclude the tour with a run in the West End and is billed as Before the West End and deserves a shot at this. Having a strong story and being filled with Dolly Parton hits seems like a good combination for international audiences and UK theatregoers visiting London.
Here You Come Again is full of heart and is a brilliant embodiment of Dolly Parton herself. The show is filled with great music, has a strong story, and is led by two brilliant performers. Expect to see this show get a West End run soon enough!
This musical has been rated ☆☆☆☆
Here You Come Again runs at Edinburgh Playhouse until the 27th of July. The show then continues it's tour covering locations like Aberdeen and Glasgow. For show bookings in Edinburgh visit https://www.atgtickets.com/venues/edinburgh-playhouse/. For further UK tour dates, and further information visit: https://hereyoucomeagain.co.uk/.
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