Part concert, part musical theatre, Buddy is a perfect blend for both young and old. It chronicles the Meteoric rise of Buddy Holly and his band, The Crickets. We witness the creation of all the top hits that he penned in his 18 months of stardom before his untimely end alongside his friends, The Big Bopper and
Ritchie Valens in 1959.

The story is bittersweet as we watch the hope and excitement of Buddy’s life, Knowing what is to come. It is a celebration of their lives, in particular, Buddy’s, and the joy is infectious
amongst the whole audience, particularly at the end with their final concert before their inevitable end.

The best part of the show by far is the incredibly talented cast, the singing is exceptional. Led by AJ Jenks as Buddy, who really captures the essence of the star. His mannerisms, accent and, of course, singing are all top notch; it’s like listening to Buddy himself on stage and the audience react accordingly. The whole cast have great voices. I particularly enjoyed the section with Tyrone Jones (played by Miguel Angel) and Marlena Madison (played by Laura-Dene Perryman), in the Apollo Theatre, Harlem. They brought the house down, particularly their rendition of Shout.

It’s a great show full of pathos, comedy and heart. It is definitely worth a visit whether you’re a Buddy Holly fan or not! The songs are classic and the delivery of them is excellent. The story is one we all know but it is delivered in a fresh way which is accessible to all. The audience were all up on their feet at
the end and it was a huge party atmosphere. Although it has a sad, inevitable ending, it’s a sheer celebration of the music and the man behind it. Its only there a short time so make sure you grab your tickets before it leaves.