Writers: Bruce Vilanch, Gabriel Barre, Tricia Paoluccio
Music and Lyrics: Dolly Parton, Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Jack Clement, Bob Carlisle, Randy Thomas, Frieda Parton, Mark Anderson and The Bee Gees
Additional Material: Jonathan Harvey
Director: Gabriel Barre
Failed, would-be comedian Kevin (Steven Webb) is on the wrong side of 40 and doesn’t have his troubles to seek. Failing at work, as well as relationships, he’s currently confined to the attic of his childhood home as he isolates with his parents during the COVID lockdown (yes, we are now sufficiently removed from the pandemic to have comedy musicals set during it).
Kevin is a life-long Dolly Parton fan, and with Dolly being well known for her wit and wisdom, it’s no surprise that in a crisis, Kevin asks: “What would Dolly do?” Kevin’s idol comes to life straight from the posters on his attic bedroom walls, the question is: Will Dolly get Kevin through these tough times? Dolly essentially encourages Kevin to pull himself up by the bootstraps functioning as a magical Mary Poppins-like figure, sticking around just long enough for Kevin to benefit from some self reflection and self realisation.
Originally written for a US audience (where it debuted in 2022) by two-time Emmy award-winning writer Bruce Villanch with Gabriel Barre and Tricia Paoluccio (who plays Dolly), it has been adapted for a UK audience by Jonathan Harvey. There are plenty of all-too familiar scenarios: toilet paper hoarding, disinfecting the weekly shopping, singing Happy Birthday twice to time our hand washing and banging pots and pans out of the window to thank the NHS. The well-known British cynicism and self-deprecation are well reflected in the script and the contrast between Kevin’s Britishness and Dolly’s Deep South, homespun wisdom is nicely done.
Principally a two-hander, the chemistry between the leads is essential. Webb and Paoluccio are the perfect pairing. The piece constantly breaks the fourth wall and it’s effective because Webb is a charming and endearing principal character with a lovely voice and Paoluccio, while considerably taller than the diminutive diva has her voice, laugh and mannerisms down-pat. There are however concerns that the frequent addresses to the audience may invite some less than welcome interactions based on the audience and its alcohol consumption levels, but on a weekday night it remained good humoured.
The on-stage band and the backing vocalists/come every other role in the show, are tight and fine-sounding throughout. There are a smattering of Dolly’s biggest hits and a few lesser known numbers including the bonkers Me and Little Andy which accompanies a funny section on the often questionable subject matter of Dolly’s and Country music in general.,
The set by Paul Wills is colourful; and cluttered and has a personality of its own, adding to the chaos not only of the COVID situation, but the chaos in Kevin’s mind.
Of course, Dolly does her job and Kevin emerges with a new-found faith in himself and the future. It’s a colourful, uplifting non-demanding, celebratory work with wide appeal. That coupled with some beautifully sung tunes by the principal pair, make it a winner. It is imbued with good humour and a goodness of heart. It will leave you will a warm and fuzzy feeling for these cold autumn nights.
Runs until 5 October 2024| Image: Contributed
The Reviews Hub Score
Uplifting
