The theatre filled up with an audience wearing cowgirl boots, denim jackets and sequined tops. This could mean only one thing, a musical full of Dolly Parton songs was about to hit the stage.
All our favourite songs from this country music Idol were there including Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands in the Stream and I will always love you.
Jukebox musicals are never my favourite, but right from the get-go this one was different. An amazing wooden loft full of retro toys was revealed as the curtain lifted and it seemed that the stage team had forgotten a few props as some bags and toilet paper were placed through a window by a guy in cargo shorts, t-shirt and a face mask. He then starts loving the audience’s attention, climbs through the window and begins an almost Peter Kay style stand-up routine with a strong Halifax accent. This is the leading man! You are already in love with Kevin before you even really know what is going on. Aidan Cutler brought everything to his performance from gorgeous country tones in his singing to constant lovable humour.
Then with a flash a bang from a poster on the wall, Dolly Parton appears like a fairy Godmother. This was just the start of many magic tricks and the beginning of an extremely like for like performance by Tricia Paouluccio as Dolly. Her mannerisms and unique giggle soon made you believe Dolly was right there with us, but if you needed convincing anymore then her vocals definitely did that.
The songs weren’t shoehorned into a story like other jukebox musicals and weirdly it wasn’t cheesy or over the top even when Kevin dragged up, lip-synced and line danced a little.
It was a musical where the audience very much felt part of it and the references to lock down brought memories back instantly and made us empathise easily with the story. It often felt like you were in lockdown in the loft with Kevin and that Dolly Parton was performing a concert for just us. At one point we were all asked to turn on our mobile phone torches and sway along to Islands in the stream and it turned the theatre into a beautiful glow of lights.
If you are a Dolly Parton fan then this is for you and if you aren’t (who isn’t?), This is also your chance to become one!
Here You Come Again is on until August 31st and tickets are still available
