Calling all StageSiders, welcome back to another review here at StageSideUK. This time, we stepped back into the golden age of rock ’n’ roll with Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story which played at the Darlington Hippodrome on the 17th of March. So settle in and let the review begin!
Disclaimer: we were gifted a pair of tickets in exchange for an honest review of the show.
I think its fair to say that this production celebrates the music of an icon, and it celebrates it to the fullest. It is a loud, live and in colour tribute to the music of Buddy Holly, and I use the word tribute specifically. Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, for me, aligns much closer to that of a tribute than it does a fully realised musical. But before we go into the differences let’s look at some glowing moments in this fabulous show.
Let’s start with the music, because this is where the show truly shines. The cast are exceptionally talented, both vocally and instrumentally, bringing Buddy Holly’s (and that of his peers) catalogue to life with real energy and authenticity. There’s a clear respect for the material, and when the band are in full flow, the show glides effortlessly to the curtain call. These moments are lively, engaging and exactly what audiences come for.
Outside of the music, the production feels like it’s missing something visually and narratively. There’s a lack in both quality and quantity of the design and storytelling elements that would typically help anchor a show within the musical theatre genre. Now not all musicals have big sparkling sets and 400 quick changes a minute, but this show really doesn’t have that many set pieces or costumes at all. Infact in some aspects its quite hard to tell what is happening. For example the set for a house is the same as an office building, which is the same as a recording studio. Visually there are no clues as to which we are in. The dynamic set pieces move in and out but the backdrop, flats and main scenery stays the same until act two where a curtain is hung over the top, but the other set is still visible. As a result, it struggles to create the kind of immersive world I expect from a musical and suits more of a tribute style title.
And while we talk about the difference between a musical and a tribute, lets look at the two acts and discuss this in more detail. At the start of Act One, we see a narrator (the radio host) introducing key moments of the show and key songs. This instantly makes me think of a tribute. The first act then takes some time to settle into its identity, only really finding a musical theatre rhythm towards the end when we get real characters coming through and some dialogue between characters. Act Two then really leans heavily into the concert format, almost exclusively feeling like a tribute performance rather than a narrative-driven piece. Narritively the show doesn’t really have much of a story. We don’t really get to see much character interaction other than in key moments and the show feels like it skirts around the ‘drama’ of the story to pack some songs in.
That’s not to say the cast aren’t committed, or the crew didn’t work hard to produce a good quality show for an affordable price, quite the opposite. Every performer gives their all, fully investing in their roles and the songs they are singing. There’s no lack of effort or talent on stage. Instead, it’s the book itself that feels in need of editing. With stronger narrative structure and clearer intention, this could shift from feeling like a tribute to something more distinctly musical. I feel the show aims to be like Beautiful the Carole King Musical but it doesn’t scratch the surface.
Despite these critiques, there’s still enjoyment to be found here, particularly for fans of Buddy Holly’s music. It was also clear that the people in the crowd were there to listen to Buddy Holly music, rather than a full blown musical. Maybe it was me who went in expecting something different and they were correct. The performances are strong, the songs are timeless, and there are moments where the show genuinely connects with its audience. For the performance, quality and entertainment I give the show three stars.
Accessibility
The show features loud live music, flashing lights and some intense scenes, including arguments, close-up confrontations and the mention of a plane crash. These elements may be impactful for some audience members but I didn’t find it overwhelming at any point.
Value for Money
With tickets priced at around £29 for second-tier seating, this production offers great value for money. The level of musical talent on stage alone makes it a worthwhile evening, even if the overall production doesn’t fully hit the heights of a fully fledged musical.
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story is a musically rich and well-performed evening that leans more towards tribute than theatre, enjoyable, but with room to grow into something more.
Have Your Say
Have you seen Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
As always, please be respectful of each other’s opinions and be kind to each other. Bullying will not be tolerated and harmful language will be removed.
Head over to the Terms and conditions page to learn more about our policies, here at StageSideUK.
Follow us on Twitter and give our page a like on Facebook.
Featured images have been referenced and are used in line with fair usage, in the copyright act.