Here You Come Again – The Alexandra, Birmingham

Book: Bruce Vilanch, Gabriel Barre, and Tricia Paoluccio, with Jonathan Harvey

Music: Dolly Parton, Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, Jack Clement, Bob Carlisle and Randy Thomas, Frieda Parton and Mark Anderson, and The Bee Gees

Director: Gabriel Barre

Dolly Parton has had a profound impact on pop and music culture. Her songs are beloved by many and disliked by few, so it’s no surprise she now has two musicals devoted to her ineffable style. In a stark contrast to 9 to 5, this light new musical, Here You Come Again features Dolly herself as a fairy godmother of sorts, visiting each of her fans personally and bringing a sprinkle of glitter and Dolly magic with her.

But before Dolly appears, the audience must first be transported back to the summer of 2020. Kevin, a die-hard Dolly fan, has found himself isolating in the attic of his childhood home near Halifax, surrounded by Dolly iconography and reminders of his millennial-influenced childhood. Kevin makes a grand appearance blasting Dolly in his headphones while he disinfects his groceries (which include three family-size packs of toilet paper). He introduces himself to the audience through a series of dry one-liners in a self-deprecating panto dame style. He warms the audience up so effectively that when we learn he is on a “break” with his boyfriend (imposed by the hedge fund boyfriend, Jeremy), he earns a collective “aww” from the audience. As he spirals into a pity hole, he pleads to his God – Dolly Parton – for help.

Throughout the rest of the slightly silly show, Dolly uses her songs to inspire confidence and a glimmer of hope in Kevin. Supported by a fantastic four-piece band, two backing vocalists, a set of fabulous costumes, and a magical technical design, Here You Come Again inspires joy, not only in Kevin but in the audience as well.

This brand-new musical has received a re-working for its UK tour, changing Kevin from a down-on-his-luck Texan to a plucky northern Englishman. The script and set are full of clever British references in addition to lots of Covid jokes, reminding us of all the horrors and absurdities of living through that time. Set and costume designer Paul Wills has lovingly crafted everything one might expect to form a quintessential English attic, now turned into a living space. It feels like the attic room every kid wanted to have growing up. Combined with Dolly’s flamboyant costumes and a series of magical illusions by Richard Pinner, this team has created the perfect venue for Dolly Parton’s inspirational music to take wing.

The company, led by Tricia Paoluccio as Dolly and Aidan Cutler, stepping in for Steven Webb, as Kevin, performs the classic songs with expert skill and pizzazz. Kevin Oliver Jones, bass and harmonica player, deserves an honourable mention for his contagious joy onstage. Cutler’s Kevin is beautifully empathetic: self-effacing yet charismatic. He brings out the qualities in Paoluccio’s Dolly which make her such a fabulous fairy godmother, and Paoluccio embodies her so clearly it’s like watching the idol herself live onstage.

Those in search of a hard-hitting, dramatic piece of theatre are encouraged to look elsewhere. But for two hours of glamorous fun, this show is the perfect night out. Fans of musical theatre and Dolly Parton rejoice – and don’t miss out on your chance to “come again” to Here You Come Again.

Runs until 14 September 2024 and on tour