From the start of the evening it is clear who the real star of this show is. This musical maybe set in the rather dreary world of the pandemic, but the music of Dolly Parton is enough to lift the whole thing out of some truly dubious moments; and not to mention some overly energetic audience members.
Writer and actor Tricia Paoluccio (who co-wrote the show in America with Bruce Vilanch with Gabriel Barre, along with Jonathan Harvey in the UK) steals every scene she is in as Dolly Parton. Not only is it a wonderful impression, Paoluccio manages to make the part her own. Great vocals and stunning costumes by Paul Wills (including a host of large wigs) are only the half of what makes her performance so effortless. Where the piece can feel clunky and verbose, it is soon assuaged by the gentle lilt of Paoluccio’s vocals and her sheer presence on stage. She’s tremendous, and worth the ticket price alone.
Currently touring the UK for 2024–2025, the production has been beset by audience interruptions — and was in the news only last week for ejecting homophobic audience members. Whilst tonight didn’t include any such incidents (thank goodness!), incessant calling out and overly-disruptive audience members did do their level best to ruin the evening. The book is thin, and whilst the two leads (Paoluccio as Dolly and Stevie Webb as Kevin) try valiantly to lift it, any attempt at a pause is filled with the shouts of particularly ballsy audience members. You had to feel for the actors in the face of such disruptive narcissism.
Here You Come Again is a good night at the theatre, but probably only because of the quality of the music. When the piece tries to “take stock”, the result is a flabby book that relies on stereotypes and clichés. Supporting actors don’t help when playing minor characters in such an exaggerated way it bleeds the scenes of any potential for meaningful moments. Go and see it if you love Dolly Parton — if you’re ambivalent, there’s better things to spend your money on.
Currently touring the UK prior to the West End.
The Prickle 