Summary:

Rating: ★★★★

Running Dates: Tuesday 27th August - Saturday 31st August 2024

Where to see it: Wales Millennium Centre

Duration: 2 hours and 20 minutes (including interval)

Keywords: Musical, Inspirational, Dolly Parton, Jukebox

Review

Hearing her hit those notes with ease and deliver Dolly’s signature vocal runs was pure joy—it felt like Dolly herself was in the room.

Here You Come Again was a truly uplifting and inspirational performance, packed with relatable moments, self-deprecating humour, and a few poignant scenes that had me laughing and crying in equal measure. The show starts with Kevin (Stephen Webb), a struggling comedian on the wrong side of 40, clambering up a ladder into his attic room in his parents’ house, armed with three jumbo packs of toilet paper and multiple bottles of Blossom Hill. From that moment, I knew we were in for a treat.

Set during the depths of the pandemic, the play is full of references that take us right back to 2020—clapping for the NHS, disinfecting cornflake packets, and singing "Happy Birthday" to time handwashing. These little details bring back all the surreal and strange parts of that time. Kevin is grappling with issues of self-esteem, loneliness, and a lack of purpose, which I think a lot of people can relate to, especially after what we all went through during the pandemic.

Kevin’s only escape is his idol, Dolly Parton (played by Tricia Paoluccio). When Dolly magically comes to life from his childhood posters, she becomes his guide, helping him navigate through his lowest moments and bringing some much-needed fun back into his life. Thanks to Dolly, Kevin finds the inner strength that we all had to dig deep to find during those tough times.

What really surprised me was Tricia Paoluccio’s uncanny portrayal of Dolly Parton. She not only looked the part but nailed Dolly’s mannerisms and vocals. Hearing her hit those notes with ease and deliver Dolly’s signature vocal runs was pure joy—it felt like Dolly herself was in the room. With just two main characters and a couple of appearances from Kevin’s parents, keeping the audience engaged is no easy task, but the energy on stage was fantastic and kept us hooked from start to finish.

As with any jukebox musical, the story is built around the songs, which can be a tricky thing to pull off. While Here You Come Again delivers plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments, I felt there was room to add a bit more depth to the storyline. Some of the themes and songs are packed with emotion, and I think a deeper exploration of Kevin’s journey could make the show even more powerful.

Overall, Here You Come Again is a delightful and heartwarming tribute to Dolly Parton, reminding us all of the joy and resilience music can bring. It’s a show that leaves you with a smile on your face and a spring in your step. For Dolly fans and anyone looking for a little light (of a clear blue morning) in the darkness, this is a must-see.

Standout Quote or Moment: The rendition of ‘Islands in the Stream’ with everyone with their phone torches out lighting up the room

See If: You want to hear a gorgeous soundtrack carried with vocal ease married with self-deprecating humour and relatable themes

Similar Plays: Mamma Mia!, I Should Be So Lucky

Last Impression: Singing and dancing all the way out of the theatre!

To get tickets for the show click here

We were kindly gifted these tickets in exchange for a review.

Written by Elizabeth Mathers

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