Review: The Buddy Holly Story at Theatre Royal Windsor

A rock’n’rollercoaster ride is underway at Windsor – just hold on tight to your specs.

The Buddy Holly Story has been wowing West End and touring productions since 1989 and, Oh Boy, it seems this show is not going to fade away. Sorry about the lyric quotes, it’s hard to resist the rich hits Buddy produced in his too-short life (more on that later).

As the lights go up, Buddy (AJ Jenks) is large as life with the ‘sex appeal of a telegraph pole’ when we meet the young Crickets playing country tunes at the KDAV radio station Sunday Party. The band is set up centre stage and couples sway serenely then suddenly start dancing their bobby socks off when the sound shifts from calm country to rollicking rock’n’roll.

“That was then, this is now,” says DJ Hi-Pockets Duncan (Joshua Barton), the now is February 3, 1959 – a date that will 'live long in the memory, and for all the wrong reasons.'

The radio host introduces the young musician, born and bred in Lubbock, Texas and we see his determination to play ‘real music’, even if the music industry bosses say ‘that’ll be the day.’

Mostly set in recording studios or the stage, the songs come thick and fast including surprises like Reet Petite and Long Tall Sally woven between Brown Eyed Handsome Man, Peggy Sue, Not Fade Away, Words of Love and many more. 

There are some charming musical moments, such as manager’s wife Vi Petty (Marta Miranda) improvising the celesta on Everyday and drummer Jerry Allison (Stephen Alexander-Kerr) swerving the drums and slapping his knees to create the beat.

The double bass athletics of Joe B Mauldin (Melker Nilsson) have to be seen to be believed, what a way to keep fit – let alone play.

All the actor-musicians are tremendous, AJ Jenks has star quality in vocals, acting, guitar and movement, a great all-rounder has strong support all around.

Thomas Fabian Parrish’s switch from MC at Clear Lake to a soaring sax was impressive. He got audience sections singing with a call and response for 'Cedar Rapids' and 'Wisconsin' though the biggest cheer came when one rebel yelled out 'Marlow!'

The show also gives us some fresh flavours, including a rousing rendition (thank you, Laura-Dene Perryman) of Shout at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, just before a nervous Buddy Holly and the Crickets become the first white band to play there.

When Buddy meets Maria Elena  (Marta Miranda), it’s hard not to hear Don McLean’s American Pie echoing in your mind – 'I can’t remember if I cried when I read about his widowed bride.' 

Yet there is no foreshadowing, instead showing tender, genuine moments between two young people in love. 

Knowing what’s coming lends a bittersweet edge to that final gig at Clear Lake, featuring stellar turns from the Big Bopper (Joshua Barton) and Ritchie Valens (Miguel Angel).

When the curtain falls, a single spotlight lingers on Buddy’s guitar as the news of the fatal plane crash breaks. More than sixty-six years later, there’s still an audible intake of breath from the audience as the names and ages of those lost are read out – Ritchie Valens was just 17; Buddy Holly, 22.

But it isn’t the day the music died – because the curtain rises once more, and the brilliant cast has everyone up dancing, singing, and celebrating the indelible Buddy Holly sound.

The performances, staging, costumes, and lighting are first-rate. If anything, the show might benefit from smoother transitions and a touch more dialogue to deepen the character moments.

To paraphrase Elvis Presley, they could do with a little less country, a little more conversation. But I left on a high – humming tunes and wanting to know more about the man behind the music.

How did those groundbreaking Harlem shows come about? Did Buddy really propose marriage within five hours? Why a celesta in a rock’n’roll track? And was the name of Peggy Sue really changed to help a bandmate get the girl?

The Buddy Holly Story is playing Theatre Royal Windsor until Saturday October 25.