HERE YOU COME AGAIN | UK TOUR @ EDINBURGH PLAYHOUSE
★★★★
“Steven Webb and Tricia Paoluccio prove a commanding double-act…”
While it may not be compulsory to dress up for the latest musical built around the songs of country icon Dolly Parton, those that did certainly added a bit of ‘yee-haw’ to proceedings for the press night of Here You Come Again, at the Edinburgh Playhouse.
A tale of self-discovery, it opens just as lock-down begins to bite. It’s 2020 and would-be stand-up Kevin, newly separated from his long-time boyfriend, is squirrelled away in the attic bedroom of his childhood home, isolating to protect his parents in the house below. Now 40-something, Kevin is losing his mind; just how will he get through this latest failure in his life. Surrounded by memories of his youth, mostly Dolly Parton related, Kevin turns to his musical heroine to help get him get over his broken heart… only to find her there, in his bedroom, determined to help him get back on track.
As musicals goes, Here You Come Again is very much a ‘pocket’ affair; two actors, an eye-catching set from Paul Wills, the sumptuous lighting of Tim Deiling, a toe-tapping six-piece band and a funny, sensitive, emotional and uplifting book, brilliantly enhanced by one of the UK’s finest playwrights, not forgetting a selection of Dolly Parton’s best loved numbers.
Steven Webb as Kevin and Tricia Paoluccio as Dolly prove a commanding double-act, while the five Rhinestone Cowboys and lone Cowgirl of the band keep the music coming. To all their credit, actors and musicians hold the audience spell-bound for two hours.
Paoluccio is mesmerising, embodying the country icon in every way and with uncannily authentic vocals – her big number, I Will Always Love You, is simply stunning. Webb’s Kevin is a loveable, goofy live-wire. It’s an energetic, engaging and emotional turn that regularly breaks the fourth wall, and with in minutes has the entire audience onside. His shared chemistry with Paoluccio, a magical Dolly in every sense, is magnetic while the joyous nature of the pairing means that, as well as commanding laughter and even the occasional sing along, they also bring great truth to the more serious themes of the piece.
Written by Bruce Vilanch, Gabriel Barre, who also directs’ and Paoluccio, there’s little doubt it is the ‘additional material’ from Jonathan Harvey that ensures this US import hits all the right marks in the UK. The pandemic may seem life a lifetime ago, but all the little triggers woven through the action, from an excess of toilet rolls on Kevin’s weekly shopping list to singing happy birthday, twice, as he washes his hands, instantly set the period while proving strangely nostalgic.
Some nicely pointed political comment is also sharply delivered and well received. As for the songs, all the favourites are there including an unexpected rendition of Jolene that may not please purists but is very funny all the same, a raucous 9 To 5 that has the audience clapping along, an outrageous lip synch routine and a beautifully tender delivery of Life Is Like A Butterfly.
If some of the story-telling verges on the sweetly sentimental, it’s equally irreverent elsewhere. Likewise, Parton’s evangelistic tendencies are also delivered with a large serving of self-deprecation that prevents them ever overpowering the story with a message. The use of band members to help drive the narrative also allows for some imaginative and effective direction by Barre.
Heart-wrenching, glorious fun and hilarious by turn, Here You Come Again is a life-affirming delight that, of course, boasts a glittering finale and has the audience on their feet cheering for more. Yee-haw, indeed!
Tour details and tickets here.
