Disclaimer: We received free tickets for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
From the moment the lights came up for Here You Come Again, it was blindingly obvious this was going to be a fantastic show. The grim reality of the COVID-19 pandemic sets the stage, but instead of doom and gloom, we’re greeted by Kevin, a 40-year-old comedian, chucking jumbo packs of toilet rolls through his attic window – a hilarious reminder of the toilet roll panic buying we all did in lockdown!!
Poor Kevin has hit rock bottom and he’s been forced to return to his parents’ home in Yorkshire. His career is in ruins, his boyfriend Jeremy has given him the boot, and things couldn’t look much bleaker. With no job and endless hours to fill, he finds solace in his beloved Dolly Parton albums. But when he starts pondering, “What would Dolly do?”, she magically comes to life, in true fairy godmother style, to help him untangle the mess that his life has become. Dolly, played by Tricia Paoluccio has such an amazing voice that if you closed your eyes you’d swear the real Dolly had descended from Nashville! Her renditions of “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You” were especially brilliant, transporting the audience straight to country music heaven.
Kevin, played with manic energy by Steven Webb, is hilariously relatable. His comedic timing is impeccable, and his dance moves, both wild and uninhibited are fantastic to watch. Somehow, he manages to be both hilarious and heartfelt, portraying Kevin’s journey from despair to determination with a captivating mix of humour and vulnerability. His chemistry with Paoluccio is electric, balancing gut-busting laughs with moments that genuinely tug at the heartstrings.
Yes, the story has been orchestrated to fit Dolly’s hits, but who cares? It works. Dolly acts as Kevin’s sparkly guiding light, doling out advice and belting out tunes to drag him out of his misery. There are plenty of nods to the pandemic including stockpiling loo rolls and washing your hands to “Happy Birthday” and I guarantee you will be laughing out loud all night!
By the finale, the entire audience was on its feet belting out Dolly classics in unison. It’s gloriously over-the-top, hilarious and utterly unforgettable and I guarantee you’ll leave the theatre grinning ear to ear and humming one of Dolly’s hits!
Here You Come Again is at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 26 November to Saturday 30 November 2024 with evening and matinee performances.
Tickets cost from £24.50 with concessions available for 1894 Club Members, Groups and 18 to 26 year olds.
Please call the Grand Theatre Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit: www.BlackpoolGrand.co.uk for full listings, bookings and further information.
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