Failed, would-be comic Kevin (Steven Webb) is on the unsuitable aspect of 40 and doesn’t have his troubles to hunt. Failing at work, in addition to relationships, he’s at present confined to the attic of his childhood residence as he isolates along with his mother and father throughout the COVID lockdown (sure, we are actually sufficiently faraway from the pandemic to have comedy musicals set throughout it).
Kevin is a life-long Dolly Parton fan, and with Dolly being well-known for her wit and knowledge, it’s no shock that in a disaster, Kevin asks: “What would Dolly do?” Kevin’s idol involves life straight from the posters on his attic bed room partitions, the query is: Will Dolly get Kevin by way of these powerful occasions? Dolly primarily encourages Kevin to drag himself up by the bootstraps functioning as a magical Mary Poppins-like determine, sticking round simply lengthy sufficient for Kevin to learn from some self reflection and self realisation.
Originally written for a US viewers (the place it debuted in 2022) by two-time Emmy award-winning author Bruce Villanch with Gabriel Barre and Tricia Paoluccio (who performs Dolly), it has been tailored for a UK viewers by Jonathan Harvey. There are loads of all-too acquainted situations: rest room paper hoarding, disinfecting the weekly buying, singing Happy Birthday twice to time our hand washing and banging pots and pans out of the window to thank the NHS. The well-known British cynicism and self-deprecation are nicely mirrored within the script and the distinction between Kevin’s Britishness and Dolly’s Deep South, homespun knowledge is properly completed.
Principally a two-hander, the chemistry between the leads is important. Webb and Paoluccio are the proper pairing. The piece always breaks the fourth wall and it’s efficient as a result of Webb is an enthralling and endearing principal character with a beautiful voice and Paoluccio, whereas significantly taller than the diminutive diva has her voice, chortle and mannerisms down-pat. There are nevertheless issues that the frequent addresses to the viewers might invite some lower than welcome interactions primarily based on the viewers and its alcohol consumption ranges, however on a weekday evening it remained good humoured.
The on-stage band and the backing vocalists/come each different function within the present, are tight and fine-sounding all through. There are a smattering of Dolly’s largest hits and some lesser recognized numbers together with the bonkers Me and Little Andy which accompanies a humorous part on the usually questionable subject material of Dolly’s and Country music usually.,
The set by Paul Wills is vibrant; and cluttered and has a character of its personal, including to the chaos not solely of the COVID scenario, however the chaos in Kevin’s thoughts.
Of course, Dolly does her job and Kevin emerges with a new-found religion in himself and the long run. It’s a vibrant, uplifting non-demanding, celebratory work with broad enchantment. That coupled with some superbly sung tunes by the principal pair, make it a winner. It is imbued with good humour and a goodness of coronary heart. It will depart you’ll a heat and fuzzy feeling for these chilly autumn nights.
Runs till 5 October 2024| Image: Contributed
