It was such a brief life, dropped at a tragic finish on 3 February 1959, however a phenomenally enduring legacy that Charles Hardin ‘Buddy’ Holley, the boy from Lubbock, Texas who “didn’t wish to be no nation star” left behind.
First conceived within the late Nineteen Eighties and credited as the primary true jukebox musical. Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story spent over 14 years within the West Finish and has toured extensively since. All primarily based on the lifetime of a 22 yr outdated man with an 18 month profession. That the viewers know there’s no completely happy ending but nonetheless flock to see this present, demonstrates the love that exists for Holly’s music.
It’s a simplistic present with music rightfully at its core. Nothing can ever evaluate to the immediacy of a reside onstage band and the musicianship of the central trio Holly (A.J. Jenks), Joe B. Mauldin (Joe Butcher) and Jerry Allison (Josh Haberfield) is beautiful, they’re the beating coronary heart of this manufacturing, respiratory a life and fireplace into the proceedings. They’re impressively supported by an ensemble forged of actor musicians doubling up on roles and offering color to the story. Christopher Chandler is a vigorous Huge Bopper and Miguel Angel is especially spectacular as Apollo performer Tyrone Jones (with an genuine 50s toned voice) and because the gyrating ball of fireside Ritchie Valens (solely 17 years outdated at his loss of life).
Fortunately, the eye is all on the music as this manufacturing incorporates a minimal set that represents recording studios, radio stations, publishers workplaces and Buddy and Elena’s residence to call just a few. To be frank, its all a bit flat and the one reduction is when it transforms into the Apollo Theater, Harlem and Buddy’s final live performance venue, The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake. One addition to this tour is a projection display screen which appears to be little utilised.
Rather a lot relies on viewers response and Glasgow is all the time ready for a celebration, build up a concert-like ambiance, they’re onside from curtain rise to fall.
Easy in its conception, focussing proper, left and centre on the phenomenon that was the person and his music, Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is the template for each jukebox musical that adopted. Sure, it’s corny at occasions however it’s a hear-felt and becoming tribute. It exhibits that the third of February 1959 wasn’t the day the music died however the begin of a protracted legacy that makes its musical mark to today.
On the King’s Theatre, Glasgow till Saturday 15 July 2023
Photos: Rebecca Nead-Menear
