Here you Come Again
Theatre Royal Brighton
until 7th September 2024
Director: Gabriel Barre
Writers: Bruce Vilanch, Gabriel Barre and Tricia Paoluccio
Musical Supervisor: Richard John
Simon Friend Entertainment in association with The Leeds Playhouse
Dolly Parton is one of the most iconic singers of the 20th and 21st century and with a plethora of awards and honours in her name, Dolly’s success and songwriting is hard to top. Whilst Dolly has been involved in show business, most notably starring in the 1980 film 9 to 5 and writing the score to the 2007 musical adaptation, Here You Come Again celebrates our favourite country star in a fictional narrative, now on its UK tour after successful tours in the USA. Following Kevin, a recently single ‘wrong-side of 40’ year old, who finds himself with a guardian angel in the form of Dolly Parton, Kevin learns to believe in himself and to always ask, what would Dolly do?
Paul Wills’ set is the first introduction the audience have to this production, and what an impression it makes. An attic transformed into a Dolly Parton shrine with objects throughout the ages, creates a timeless space that continues to capture your attention as you notice new details with every glance. Wills’ design is impressive, full of life and individuality, and used effectively throughout. The story begins with Kevin, a 40-something year-old, who has moved back home after a break-up. Lonely and confused, Kevin is also battling the confinements of Covid restrictions; in an attempt to make the show relatable to a British audience, script-writer Jonathan Harvey has adapted the piece to be set in Covid times, with Kevin from a town up North. The first part of the show, without Dolly, feels a little like a comedy set, and with Covid in the mix, cue lots of jokes about toilet paper hoarding, Boris Johnson’s illegal parties, and clapping for the NHS. Aidan Cutler portrayed Kevin, and although he is the understudy, I thought he was fabulous. His energy was superb throughout, with excellent comedic timing and pace, and he made Kevin an incredibly loved character, with the audience rooting for him to find happiness again.
When Dolly appeared (there are a lot of fun magic tricks throughout), the energy erupted and Tricia Paoluccio as Dolly, is magnificent. I keep catching myself writing Dolly instead of Paoluccio’s name when describing her performance, which I think is a telling sign to how wonderful she was. Her voice, mannerisms, movement and characterisation were absolutely spot-on and she was just joyous. I did feel that the more moving songs, such as ‘Little Sparrow’ and ‘Me and Little Andy’ really allowed Paoluccio’s voice to shine. The show is essentially a 2-hander and I thought they both did an excellent job.
I also want to give a special mention to Wills’ costume designs, which for Dolly, were beautiful. Each a slight replication of famous Dolly outfits, they added glamour and a fun contrast to Kevin’s baggy tops and boxer shorts.
The music is, of course, wonderful and the band did an excellent job playing live (although a small reminder to musical directors on piano, in certain seats we can see you on the screen, so perhaps don’t be sitting on your phone scrolling!) Whilst the music and acting was fab, I did feel the dancing and movement in some songs, felt unnatural and awkward, and I don’t think this is the fault of the actors. Rather, there felt to be a disconnect between what Lizzi Gee attempted to create movement wise and the rest of the narrative. The show itself was fun and surreal and I don’t think there needed to be any choreographed group dancing. The staging was also messy, with backing vocalists and band members coming up a small ladder at the back of the stage, one by one to say a few lines, or play a song, then leaving again. I found it distracting and slightly unnecessary, as we were completely focused on Dolly and Kevin, and would have remained so without the additional cameos.
In terms of the script, the story did have some real grit to it, and a truthfulness amongst all the rhinestones, but it constantly felt that lines were put in merely to introduce the next song, without any regard to how the actual narrative was unfolding. I’m not sure the show knows exactly what it’s trying to be, but overall, it will certainly put a smile on your face and fill you with that Dolly spirit, so perhaps, that’s its purpose. Regardless, the Theatre Royal Brighton erupted last night with an enormous amount of joy, and I think we all left remembering, that we will always love Dolly.
Here You Come Again runs at the Theatre Royal Brighton till the 7th of September, and continues its UK tour until the 7th of December.
Reviewed by Lily Sitzia