By Mim Holmes
Here we come again — quite the headline! In this show you are taken back to buying surplus toilet rolls and hand sanitiser, yes you guessed it, it’s all about Lockdown, a time we would all like to forget. That’s until Dolly Parton comes in with all her glitz and glamour, which was quite the welcome.
Set in the attic of his parent’s house, Kevin is a middle aged flamboyant character from Halifax (where I was also born!) dealing with the setback of living in isolation on his own, cut off from society, unemployed, following a relationship breakdown.
Kevin is on the road to breakdown until his idol (we know this thanks to the posters of her plastered all over his attic wall) bursts into his life like a sparkling fairy godmother, to show Kevin a better path in his present dreary life.
The set design sent me back to the 1980s — there were lots of toys I recognised and it was a really good backdrop for the show, from the memorabilia of his favourite person Dolly Parton, to the little magic twists they put in to create a real magical haven.
Tricia Paoluccio knew how to make an appearance, her blond hair just as big as her large personality and voice. One of my favourite songs was ‘Island in the streams’ that both her and Kevin sung together — truly magical!
The storyline really hit home, it showed Kevin at rock bottom and his idol showing him that things could be worse, that there are people less fortunate than yourself, so to keep moving on! She even shared sad memories of her own, and the songs mirrored that throughout the show.
The Musicians also need a special mention; what a trio of talented musicians, Ben Scott the Drummer, Luke Adams on the guitar and Kevin Jone on the Bass
The show is one of sadness to mad sparkling happiness. You really warm to the character Kevin— this high happy energetic character who has just lost his way, he really knew how to engage the audience.
“Stop looking in mirrors and start looking out windows” was one line that really hits home, it is ok to feel vulnerable at times, you just have to get passed it with a little help from your friends
Head on down to Grand Opera House York this week for a trip to Dollywood you won’t forget!
Here You Come Again is at the Grand Opera House York until Saturday 1 February. Get your tickets here!
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