Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story - UK Tour

[Dr Tom]

This is now in its 30th year, with a UK tour running throughout the rest of 2019 and into 2020. It's a musical I had never seen before.

Caught this last night in Croydon, with around one third of the Stalls filled. It's one of the early jukebox biopic musicals, possibly the first. The format for jukebox musicals has been refined a lot since, with Buddy Holly's case, you don't really feel much of a sense of jeopardy. Essentially, the first half of this is background and the second half is a concert performance.

This is performed by 13 actor-musicians, with the role of Buddy being shared between two actors (on their "off" night, they take a smaller role playing guitar). I saw Christopher Weeks, who was very good. Joshua Barton covered a load of roles played by Harry Boyd (at least according to the website cast list), no idea why as Harry Boyd was there.

I imagine it's very hard to compare this small scale production with the original West End show. This runs just about at bare bones casting level. Still, the music was good, the audience had a good time and the bar was obviously taking good money from some of the female groups in the audience. The same people who sounded audibly shocked when it was announced that Buddy Holly had died at the end (hopefully that is not a spoiler).

A cheap and cheerful night out. The front row tickets are a bargain.

[FrontroverPaul]

I also saw Buddy at Croydon, on Monday.Barely a hundred people there so not much atmosphere and fairly muted applause Ashcroft is one of a number of theatres around the country with a policy of selling some or all front row tickets at the lowest price point although there is nothing negative about being there - decent legroom and hardly any look up. Long may it continue.

The Ashcroft hasn't been reopened for long and seems to be struggling to regain its audience judging from my three visits there since September. It doesn't help that little if any of the £30 million pounds budget used to refurbish the Fairfield Halls complex has been spent in the Ashcroft auditorium which looks extremely shabby with worn seats and paint splattered floor.

I've seen Buddy at least half a dozen times over the years and there are definitely some changes in this production mainly in the first half hour including the different opening.. Two significant roles were played by the same actor - changing on stage from one to the other - seemed odd but I guess it saves a wage !

[justfran]

This was the first musical I saw when I was about 8 years old so will always love it. I’ve been to see most tours and it is a shame how much it’s been scaled down over the years. I was hoping it might have come back bigger and better for the anniversary (wishful thinking!) but regardless of anything, the songs are still brilliant.

[Deleted]

Remember seeing it at The Victoria Palace a couple of times when I was a teenager.
Buddy and Return To The Forbidden Planet were the birth of the mainstream jukebox musical in the UK really.

Such a shame all these shows get cheaper and cheaper every time they are done again!

[miz]

Several years ago, I took my daughters to the Richmond theatre to see this show and we all had a good time. Unlike Jersy Boys, which we also enjoyed very much, I, as a pearent, didnt have to swaet over steamy scenes and swear words.

Now they are much older and refusing to accept my offer of taking them to see Mary Poppins.....

[giovanni]

Celebrating 30 years, I'd hope that it would look special...

Saw it last night in Southampton. I've seen it in the West End and on tour quite a few times, and have never been disappointed. Until last night. The musicians are terrific - outstanding, in fact. AJ Jenks, as Buddy, is brilliant. The production, however, is rubbish!

The introduction of a narrator is pointless - and quickly becomes very irritating. As has been said, he also plays several roles. That gives us a clue that costs have been cut. As have some original scenes. I wasn't the only one who was unimpressed. One chap behind me groaned when he did his narrator bit at one point. Later in Act 1 - The Apollo Theatre - the audience needs to react enthusiastically. We didn't.

One bit I always look forward to is the compere of the Winter Dance Party, and his banter with the audience. This chap (guess who...) didn't bother. There weren't "souvenir brochures" either.

After all that, all of us were on our feet with the music at the end. "Buddy" had us in the palms of his hands. He's unbelievably good.

But the production... This show deserves better than the half-hearted approach taken with this tour.

[alicesprings]

Just came back from the show at the Octagon Theatre in Yeovil. And yes the production is scaled down and one person playing several parts, but the whole cast were excellent. And AJ Jenks playing Buddy Holly was brilliant, lovely voice and great stage presence. Sold out performance for the 5 days at this venue (about 700 seats). Nearly everyone up dancing at the end and leaving the venue singing That ll be the day .... so can’t all be that bad. 😊

[david]

Having been at yesterday's matinee at the Manchester Opera House we had AJ Jenks on as Buddy who was brilliant and completely owned the stage throughout the entire show and along with the rest of the fab cast gave us a fantastic afternoon at the theatre. With plenty of authorised opportunities for a sing along and get involved during the show really made for a great atmosphere to hear those classic 50's rock and roll songs.

Ok, the sets are what can only be described as basic / functional and with some cast members doubling up on certain roles, I don't think this was a big concern for the good folk of Manchester, many of which I think where there of a bit of a trip down memory lane and revisiting their youth. There was plenty of dancing in their seats from them and everyone was on their feet by the end.

With the short career that Buddy had before the tragic plane crash, he certainly left us with a great catalogue of music that he and the crickets wrote and performed. For me, these songs stand up to the test of time and even today are great to listen to.

[anthony40]

The plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper- the day the music died- as referred to by Don McLain in his hit single American Pie.

[Dr Tom]

I caught the tour in Bromley last week, with a heavily discounted ticket. You could just about take my review from the first post as my thoughts are much the same. An enjoyable show, a talented lead, but a weak book.

It was pretty full on the night I was there, with a generally more senior audience, although I was surprised by how many gasps there were at the end when the audience discovered what had happened to Buddy Holly. I thought it was rather common knowledge.

A cheap and cheerful show, but an enjoyable enough evening, and you can't fault the quality of the music.

[anita]

Aug 28, 2023 14:36:14 GMT Dr Tom said:

I caught the tour in Bromley last week, with a heavily discounted ticket. You could just about take my review from the first post as my thoughts are much the same. An enjoyable show, a talented lead, but a weak book.

It was pretty full on the night I was there, with a generally more senior audience, although I was surprised by how many gasps there were at the end when the audience discovered what had happened to Buddy Holly. I thought it was rather common knowledge.

A cheap and cheerful show, but an enjoyable enough evening, and you can't fault the quality of the music.

I was there last week too. Lots of empty seats. No gasps. But  quite a few people got up & were dancing. Luckily I had anticipated this & was in front row of the circle so I could still see. I enjoyed it & bought the DVD.

[peggysue]

Saw the show this afternoon in Newcastle. Have seen it many times and had a fabulous time. Sets are scaled back but it doesn’t detract from the show as it’s the music that matters. Christopher Weeks was on as Buddy and was brilliant as was the whole cast with everyone giving a great performance. When Buddy sang True Love Ways you could hear a pin drop. Audience was very well behaved throughout. Well deserved standing ovation at the end from a nearly sold out crowd.

[justfran]

I absolutely loved the show this week in Newcastle. There's been a few changes since the last time I saw it (2017 tour) with the first half being narrated by the Hipockets Duncan character played by Thomas Mitchells - also taking on the role of Norman Petty. I actually liked this change and thought Thomas was great changing parts. I noticed a few cuts to the story such as when Buddy and Maria get married etc and a couple of new songs introduced. The set is basic but filled the stage and I've seen cheaper! This show is all about the timeless music though. The cast of 13 musician-actors were all excellent and gelled together really well, you could tell that they enjoy the music they are playing. Christopher Weeks was one of the best I've seen as Buddy (not over-doing the acting like some have in the past). Special mention also to Joe Butcher as Joe and Josh Haberfield as Jerry. I left the auditorium singing and with a smile on my face, can't wait to see it again.