Set in 2020 during the Covid quarantine, Here You Come Again is a gentle jukebox musical that strikes a balance between a Dolly Parton tribute and an original storyline centred around perseverance. As the flamboyant Parton injects her music, humour and advice to offer chicken soup for the soul, the audience are taken on a journey through her curated hits that explore themes of love and self-acceptance.
The unexpected tale follows struggling comic Kevin (Steven Webb) as he is forced into isolation during the Covid pandemic. Hugging the poverty line and unravelling in his parent’s basement, the realities of a broken relationship, failing career and prolonged seclusion settle in as Kevin has nothing but time to daydream.
Gabriel Barre’s set spreads a treasure trove of abandoned trinkets amongst the immersive Lowry stage. Amidst the impressive time capsule of Monopoly and multipacks of toilet paper is Kevin’s record player, a horde of Parton vinyl and a life-size poster of his idol. The show's collective fever dream then allows the audience and our die-hard Dolly fan to see Parton in the flesh, ready to delicately guide Kevin through his troubles with style, wit and a timeless soundtrack.
Dreamed up by a cacophony of comedy writers including director Barre, Emmy award-winning Bruce Vilach and Gimme, Gimme, Gimme’s Jonathan Harvey, the show propels a fantasy of Parton through actress Tricia Paoluccio, whose warm and rich tone is easy to embrace. Paoluccio impressively captures Parton’s unique voice and spirit in a sweet and comedic performance that audiences can tip their cowboy hats to. As Kevin’s optimistic fairy godmother, she commands attention in a multitude of rhinestone-encrusted ensembles and hilarious one-liners, but the pair's direct dynamic is what drives the production forward. Webb’s fantastic physical performance alongside the pop-up backing dancers sustains a party atmosphere. As Kevin free falls into the warm embrace of Dolly, Parton is quick to offer an anecdote or song to help him out of his funk.
Within the meta-musical, the show directly involves the audience and the show's sitcom approach makes the pace fly by. The show is packed with earworms as Paoluccio alongside her on-stage band performs a selection of Parton’s most iconic songs, including Jolene, 9 to 5, Coat of Many Colors and, I Will Always Love You. Parton’s dense country songs lend themselves perfectly to a musical and Paoluccio’s strong vocals deliver a touching tribute to the Queen of Country.
Here You Come Again is a nicely packaged musical, that gives audiences the best of both worlds. Barre’s closed-off and cosy set offers an intimate Dolly tribute that allows fans to be absorbed by her art and sent off with a finale that leaves you on a sweet sing-along high. While audiences less familiar with Parton’s work are able to discover it through a feel-good Covid case we all wish we’d lived through.
Tickets are available via the Lowry link