Show: Buddy – the Buddy Holly Story
Society: Churchill Theatre Bromley (professional)
Venue: Churchill Theatre, High Street, Bromley, Kent BR1 1HA
Credits: Book by Alan Janes. Featuring the music of Buddy Holly and the Crickets and several other songs.
Type: Sardines
Author: Paul Johnson
Performance Date: 24/08/2023
Buddy – the Buddy Holly Story
Paul Johnson | 25 Aug 2023 09:27am
Image: L-R Miguel Angel, Laura-Dene Perryman, Christopher Weeks, Samuelle Durojaiye. Photo: Hamish Gill f8creates. Review from Mrs Sardines
This probably the fifth or sixth time I’ve reviewed this show, and it still gets me every time. I took Mrs Sardines on this occasion and she loved so much that she even wrote this review herself:
If you had to pick one musical genre that has the most blanket appeal, it would have to be rock and roll. The evervescent cheeriness that defies the most staid person to tap their foot and bob along to the music. And boy, does ‘Buddy’ does that in spades. The number of chart-topping songs that legendary Buddy Holly released by the tender age of 22 (which saw him meet his untimely and sad death) was phenomenonal – nearly two hundred recordings in under three years. And this five-star show packs them in to over two hours of unbridled joy and entertainment.
Christopher Weeks gives us a flawless performance with unending energy and mellifluous croonings. Portraying the singular star, Weeks captures both Holly’s unassuming personality yet persistence to succeed. He is ably supported by a charismatic and hugely talented ensemble, each bringing to life a plethora of characters, pertinent to the Buddy Holly story.
Taking on the roles of seminal characters during the quest for success. Thomas Mitchells also gives us an outstanding performance as Hipockets and The Big Bopper (Christopher Chandler [the scheduled Big Bopper] was off with laryngitis). He was full of spunk and persona. Multi-talented actors fill this show – playing, singing and dancing – keeping the audience begging for more.
The storyline plays second fiddle to Holly’s fantastic back catalogue, but the old adage ‘the great die young’ is painfully true with his premature demise. Luckily, the brief reflective lull soon segues back to a rollicking, raucous finale. Perfect uplifting entertainment that gives everyone a two-hour reprise from everyday drudgery. Here’s to another thirty years of Buddy brilliance.