BUDDY, 04.04.2017
KING’S THEATRE, GLASGOW
THAT’LL be the day when we actually believe this was Buddy Holly and not a demonic Eric Morecambe.
Buddy has been a smash hit since it first opened 28 years ago and the various actors taking centre stage have all added their own flavour to the character.
But Glen Joseph just didn’t look the part and played Buddy as a buck-toothed buffoon.
And when he spoke, his Texan twang took on a more high-pitched nasal sound rather than Buddy’s lazy drawl. This sounded like a skit from a Morecambe and Wise special.
In a show titled Buddy, the lead needs to be a perfect fit. Joseph just isn’t – in any sense.
To be fair, his singing and musical abilities are more than passable. But he just couldn’t carry a musical of this magnitude.
His Crickets, however, were skilful musicians. The quality of their performances were enough to have the audience singing and bopping along. Ditto Celia CruwysFinnigan as Vi Petty, an accomplished pianist with a good feel for comedy. The show takes us from Buddy making his breakthrough with the Crickets, his whirlwind marriage to Maria Elena, splitting with his band and then touring with The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. They both joined him on the fateful flight which ended their lives just 18 months after Holly hit the big time in 1959.
The Big Bopper, Thomas Mitchells, also struggled to connect with his role but the hip-gyrating Jordan Cunningham, as Valens, was a definite highlight.
Kerry Low as Maria Elena pretty much nailed her character, but not her accent.
Thankfully, in among some very average performances, there was a true star.
Matthew Quinn has three small roles including Hipockets Duncan – the band’s first manager and local radio DJ – and is exceptional in each. He is incredibly funny and your eyes are drawn to him – the mark of an outstanding performer.
It isn’t a rapid-paced show but there is certainly enough to keep your interest. But puh-lease, knock the audience participation on the head. If I wanted to sing, clap and shout I’d be on stage, not in the circle.
Fans of Holly’s music will get wrapped up in the amazing sounds and, perhaps, overlook the faults. For me, I think the producers need to Rip It Up and start again.
VIVIENNE AITKEN