Here You Come Again - The New Dolly Parton Musical

Here You Come Again – the name alone sparks excitement, and this dazzling Dolly Parton musical has made its way to Manchester’s Opera House. Packed with heart, humour, and a whole load of rhinestones, this feel-good show is a must-see for country music lovers and Dolly megafans. I love a bit of Dolly (I mean who doesn’t?) but my knowledge of her songs is pretty limited to her top hits, though I was still excited to see what this Dolly musical would be like. 

The show follows the story of Kevin, a down-on-his-luck fan navigating personal struggles, who finds unexpected guidance in an imagined version of Dolly herself. Think of the ultimate Guardian Angel - that’s where Dolly comes in. Set in the midst of the 2020 Pandemic and the height of lockdown, we see Kevin struggle to come to terms with loneliness, heartbreak and living in the same four walls. Through a whirlwind of wisdom, wit, and world-class songwriting, Dolly helps Kevin rediscover his spark. 

We were treated to Emma Jane Fearnley (People Places and Things, Betty Blue Eyes, Made in Dagenham) as Dolly Parton, who is the Understudy for the show. Fearnley’s portrayal of Dolly Parton really had a mixture of Dolly’s sweet nature and grit, not forgetting the country twang in her singing voice to mimic Dolly’s signature style. She captures the essence of the country queen with effortless charm, comedic timing, and, of course, a powerhouse voice that does justice to every iconic hit. 

Playing opposite her, Steven Webb (Oliver!, The Book of Mormon, The History Boys) shines as Kevin, delivering a performance filled with warmth, vulnerability, and brilliant comedic moments. Webb’s physical comedy really brought the one-liners to life, adding a little extra flair to the dialogue and really over-emphasising the melodramatic moments. The chemistry between the two is delightful, making every scene feel authentic and deeply engaging. 

The production itself is a visual delight. The set design is a standout element, bringing both Kevin’s modest living space and Dolly’s fantastical world to life with ease. His room is literally a Dolly Parton shrine, think of an attic space decked out with all sorts of old memorabilia but also used as a living space. The attention to detail in the props and staging adds to the storytelling, making the transition between reality and fantasy seamless and visually striking.

The music is of course the big hitter with Here You Come Again, and this show is a Dolly Parton fan’s dream come true. From the anthemic 9 to 5 to the heartfelt I Will Always Love You, each song is performed with energy and emotion, and somehow are written in to relate to each moment of the show. The standout for me was Islands In The Stream (a personal fave!) which was performed as if Dolly and Kevin were live on stage. 

Here You Come Again is a heartwarming tale of resilience, self-acceptance, and the power of music – all wrapped up in a rhinestone-studded bow. If you’re looking for a 0night of simple, country music joy, it’s the perfect pick. The dazzling set and infectious energy make this a production a must see for Dolly lovers - so grab your cowboy boots and don’t miss out!

HERE YOU COME AGAIN IS A JOYFUL CELEBRATION OF DOLLY PARTON'S MUSIC - A REAL TREAT FOR ALL TO ENJOY!

As a huge lover of country music I was thrilled to grab my cowboy boots and head to The Lowry to watch Dolly Parton’s biggest hits come to life in the new musical Here You Come Again. Dolly Parton's infectious spirit and uplifting presence first captivated me in the 1980s film "9 to 5", I then went on to discover her music and like so many people, a piece of her heart found its way into mine.  I was extremely excited to see how this country legend’s songs and her presence would be presented on the stage. 

The atmosphere in the theatre was buzzing, devoted fans and curious newcomers settled in to be entertained by the heartfelt storytelling music Dolly Parton is so well known for. We spotted a few cowboy hats and boots ready to start some country toe tappin’ to Dolly Parton’s greatest hits including Jolene, Islands in the Stream, 9 to 5 and I will Always Love You.

We are immediately transported to 2020, toilet rolls included, it is lockdown and aspiring comedian Kevin Rutter literally climbs into his attic bedroom in his parent’s home.  The audience is already laughing, the tone seems to be set, since the whole audience can relate to lockdown we are all chuckling at the lockdown references and we are immediately connecting with Kevin. 

Kevin, played by Steven Webb (Oliver!, Book of Mormon) is clearly a huge Dolly Parton fan, the attic room is littered with Dolly posters and memorabilia but Kevin is depressed, his self-confidence at a low, the effects of lockdown have truly hit and although he is doing his best to put on a brave face, he is lacking focus and is in desperate need of some cheering up and direction.  At a crisis moment the warmth, charisma and wisdom of Dolly Parton is required, he puts on a Dolly Parton record, well known for her desire to help people, this is surely just what Kevin needs. ‘What would Dolly do?’

Dolly Parton played by Tricia Paoluccio (Fiddler on the Roof, The Green Bird) magically appears on stage. The contrast between Dolly’s uplifting glamour and Kevin’s current sad situation is evident as Dolly arrives on stage with her radiant smile and glittering attire to help guide Kevin with her lyrics to a brighter future.

From the onset the audience become a part of the action, we are whisked away into the attic with Kevin and Dolly and welcomed to share in the magic.  The set is skilfully designed to feel and look like an attic, with clever lighting, in one moment it feels warm and cosy, then lighting changes and the space becomes a stage for Kevin to perform and then with twinkly lights and sparkles we’re transported into an attic where magic happens and dreams come true.  The props on set skilfully combine the past and present, along with the plentiful Dolly Parton memorabilia there are remnants of his childhood and teenage years.

Tricia Paoluccio was mesmerising, from the moment she appeared on stage she embodied Dolly Parton remarkably with both her unmistakeable sound and personality and commanded the attention of everyone in the room. Her vocal range, wit and humour captivated the audience, and she oozed positivity and hope. 

Steven Webb was superb, his vocals outstanding and he lights up the stage with energy and personality, his engagement with the audience was exceptional, we know Kevin is feeling down on his luck however, we feel his energy and his desire to be optimistic, to catch a break for a better future.  Steven Webb’s remarkable ability to deliver comic timing impeccably makes Kevin an extremely likeable character that the audience can easily connect with.

Joining Dolly and Kevin on stage were an amazing band who provide music and backing vocals along with voices for Kevin’s parents and other additional characters.  The musicians cleverly interact with the space in the attic and their presence adds a visual element that enhanced the engagement of the audience.

We are treated to a journey through the decades with Dolly’s costumes.  The outfits and wigs show how her styling has changed throughout her career, what is evident though in each costume is plenty of sparkle and shine to dazzle us all.

Writers Bruce Vilanch with Gabriel Barre (who also directs) and writer and actor Tricia Paoluccio, along with acclaimed British playwright Jonathan Harvey’s (Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and Coronation Street) adaptation have created fabulous theatre taking us on Kevin’s heartwarming journey.  Jonathan Harvey has skilfully and successfully combined British humour, Dolly Parton’s storytelling and wit, and contemporary relevance.

When I heard that Here You Come Again was set during COVID lockdown, I had my reservations, worried that this topic is now tired, it’s in the past which is where we want it to stay so we can move on from all the difficulties that ensued.  However, what this musical does is remind us that those difficulties are always relevant and that sometimes we need sparkle, shine, a little help and a whole lot of hope to help us through. 

Country music is fast gathering popularity in the UK and as a fan myself, I can easily see why. It’s not only the catchy riffs and rhythms but the use of storytelling to create song and the personal accounts of love, loss and life experiences which resonate with us.  Perhaps we can all play our country music favourite, immerse ourselves and be guided through difficult times.

Here You Come Again shows how the enduring charm and universal appeal of Dolly Parton's music continues to inspire and entertain audiences across generations but also highlights how Dolly Parton's impact extends far beyond her music and performances and how she has touched countless lives. Here you Come Again certainly touched this audience as the theatre erupted in cheers and whoops with a standing ovation.

Here You Come Again is a joyful celebration of Dolly Parton’s music and heartfelt lyrics, it is a message of hope but is also a whole lot of laughs and fun and will not only have you toe tappin’ but it will leave you feeling like you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

WE SCORE HERE YOU COME AGAIN...