Buddy the Buddy Holly Musical
Theatre Royal Windsor
booking until Saturday 25th October 2025
The Buddy Holly Story bursts onto the stage with irresistible energy, bringing Buddy Holly’s music and spirit to life in a way that’s both joyful and exhilarating. From the very first number, the show’s infectious rhythm has the audience tapping their feet and smiling along. It’s a celebration of one of music’s great pioneers – and it’s impossible not to get swept up in the energy.
AJ Jenks gives a fantastic performance as Buddy Holly, capturing his determination, charm, and signature style with real authenticity. Sporting the now-iconic thick, dark-rimmed glasses, Jenks nails the swagger, the sound and the spirit of a true rock and roll trailblazer. His musicality is spot-on, and he leads the band with charisma and flair. The Crickets are equally outstanding, their chemistry and musicianship driving the show’s momentum. Thomas Fabian Parrish also deserves special mention for his dual role as Buddy’s manager Norman Petty and as the MC at the Clear Lake concert – he brings warmth, humour, and a great sense of timing to every scene.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the production is how cleverly it integrates the live music into the story. The show plays with the line between musical and concert, inviting the audience into the world of Buddy’s gigs, studio sessions, and radio broadcasts. Watching iconic songs take shape on stage is a real treat – whether it’s “Peggy Sue” emerging out of casual conversation, or “Everyday” coming together with knee-tapping percussion and a celesta, played charmingly by the manager’s wife, who pops in from reception to lend a hand. These moments are theatrical magic.
The production is slick and imaginative, using video projections and seamless set adaptations to take us from recording studios to radio interviews to live performances. Highlights include the Crickets’ rise to fame, their memorable gig at the Apollo in Harlem (where everyone expects them to be black and they have to win over the audience), and even small, charming touches like Buddy’s mum checking in to make sure he’s eaten. The show also handles Buddy’s untimely death with sensitivity and poignancy, reminding uswhat an extraordinary legacy he left behind at just 22 years old.
If there’s one area where the show feels slightly lighter, it’s in its storytelling. The title suggests a deep dive into Buddy Holly’s life, but the narrative sometimes skims the surface. Unlike some jukebox musicals, the songs felt mostly performative rather than emotionally driven, which for me, led to moments of slight frustration. A few storylines – like Buddy’s marriage to Maria Elena – were introduced well and then left undeveloped. Still, the pace and energy of the show more than make up for it. It may not offer a detailed biography, but it certainly captures the essence of Buddy Holly: bold, original, and unrelentingly passionate about his music.
Ultimately, The Buddy Holly Story is a celebration – of a sound, an era, and a man who changed the face of rock and roll. The crowd was on its feet by the finale (my mum included!), dancing and singing along to classics like “Heartbeat.” It’s a show that lifts the spirits, brims with nostalgia, and leaves you humming all the way home.
The Buddy Holly Story is playing at The Theatre Royal Windsor until Saturday 25th October 2025
Reviewer: Klara Kallis
Photo: Hamish Gill f8creates