Throwing it back to lockdown times but without the impending doom, Here You Come Again is set in Kevin’s Covid-secure attic at his family home. It’s small, it’s nostalgic and naturally, it’s full to the brim with Dolly Parton memorabilia.
Following a break from his painfully self-indulgent, non-committal boyfriend, with nothing but swirling thoughts of what could have been and what will be in love, life and stand-up comedy, he calls upon his idol in despair.
Larger than life, rhinestoned and uncannily familiar, Dolly enters the stage (through a poster and cloud of smoke) and embarks on a journey of self-reflection, love and possibility, shifting Kevin out of his funk one cracking country song at a time.
Genuinely funny, genuinely heartwarming, with genuinely belting vocals. Here You Come Again is the ultimate reminder to be your own number one fan and drag yourself out of that ‘P Hole’ (AKA Pity Hole) to grab what you really want from life - all while putting your best foot forward and having an inner dialogue with your musical hero, if you fancy it.
Kevin and Dolly’s friendship doesn’t just make for good viewing, but impeccable performance of every top track you could imagine: ‘9 To 5’, ‘Islands in the Stream’, ‘Jolene’ and the rest, all sung to perfection! Steven Webb as Kevin alongside Tricia Paoluccio as Dolly feel unstoppable.
The duo is joined by a showband who double up as peculiar characters from Kevin’s life, shifting their western boots in and out of roles around the attic, adding more incredible talent and fun to this already impressive show!
And accompanied by my mum, I got her verdict too: “Fan-bloody-tastic! Such likeable and comedic characters. I want to go again next week!”
Brought to Leeds Playhouse prior to the West End, Here You Come Again was written by Emmy winner Bruce Vilanch with Gabriel Barre and Tricia Paoluccio - who also plays Dolly, and was adapted especially for the UK by acclaimed playwright Jonathan Harvey.
We don’t know whether it’s Kevin’s moves or Dolly’s contagious smile but we’re locking down to play our Parton Playlist for the foreseeable.
Here You Come Again runs until 8 June 2024 at Leeds Playhouse and you can purchase tickets HERE.
Header image: The company of Here You Come Again © by Hugo Glendinning
