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AJ Jenks as Buddy with his iconic Sunburst Fender Stratocaster. Picture: Rebecca Need-Menear Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story Malvern Theatres ***** I think anyone who’s heard of Buddy Holly (is there anyone in the civilised world who hasn’t?) knows of his untimely and tragic death on ‘the day the music died’ on February 3rd 1959. At the age of 22 one of rock and roll’s pioneering figures left behind an astounding back catalogue of unforgettable and enduring songs and with his distinctive hiccupping performance style, his status as legend was secured. Written by Alan James and superbly directed by Matt Salisbury, the play doesn’t dwell too much on the plane crash that killed not just Buddy Holly but also Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper but chooses to focus on celebrating the music that was left behind rather than what might have been. The story is sporadically narrated throughout by Hipockets Duncan played by Joshua Barton, but don’t expect a detailed biographical account of Holly’s life. Although there is enough of a story in between the songs to give you an idea of his rapid rise to stardom. However, do expect to be part of the show. Audience participation is definitely key and keeps the party atmosphere racing along to the finale that is The Winter Dance Party Tour. There are plenty of highlights along the way. Holly’s hits are interspersed with performances of rock and roll classics such as Chantilly Lace, by The Big Bopper played with infectious enthusiasm by Joshua Barton. Miguel Angel portrays a convincingly excitable 17-year-old Ritchie Valens and gives us an energetic rendition of La Bamba. The scene in which The Crickets are the first ever white act to play at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, New York provides an insight in to the racial aspects of the 1950s and although you get a sense of the tension of the ordeal, the outcome is a joyous experience with copious amounts of humour. The Crickets, played by Stephen Alexander-Kerr as Jerry Allison on drums, Joe Sterling as Niki Sullivan on guitar and Melker Nilsson as Joe B. Mauldin on the double bass all clearly accomplished musicians and threw themselves into their roles with youthful energy. Who doesn’t love to see a double base being thrown around and climbed on like a giant child’s toy? Marta Miranda as Maria Elena who is proposed to by Holly on their first meeting is suitably starstruck and provides one of the more melancholy moments when she is the inspiration for a beautiful acoustic rendition of True Love Ways. There are so many juke box classics that you feel somewhat restricted having to just sit and merely clap along, but eventually the party atmosphere takes over and when their rendition of Johnny B Goode, explodes on to the stage, the audience rose as one and danced and swayed and sang along. And they stayed on their feet through to the final curtain, giving the most well-deserved standing ovation. But let’s not forget the star of the show. AJ Jenks ‘is’ Buddy Holly. A role that could so easily have been a caricature of the bespectacled icon. We are given a sense of the determination behind the geeky young Texan’s desire to be different. His innovative approach to creating songs such as Peggy Sue for instance, when the drummer’s warm up exercise becomes an integral part of the final recording. We are given a truly incredible portrayal of a star who by the age of 22 created such an amazing body of work that would influence and inspire so many musicians and songwriters to come. What a night! What a party! May the music of Buddy Holly Rave On for eternity. Alan Birch 09-09-25 |
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