After seeing Buddy at Cambridge the other week, we decided to go again, this time to Milton Keynes, which firstly I have to say Milton Keynes theatre is wonderful, great place to go and see a show. This time we took our 3 children with us.
We were lucky enough to meet Steve Dorsett (who plays J.P. Richardson/Big Bopper) and Gary Trainor (who plays Hipockets Duncan) before the show, what lovely men they are too and they helped to 'direct' us to the box office, 'Thanks, Steve and Gary!'.
This time Glen Joseph was playing Buddy, in Cambridge we saw Roger Rowley, who played him brilliantly and is a real bundle of energy and enthusiasm. I have to admit, and ,maybe, I should feel slightly ashamed to admit this, but I actually didn't want Glen to be as good as Roger. *Gasp*. However Glen's performance was brilliant too. Both Roger and Glen have their own 'take' on playing Buddy and there are some 'artistic differences' from the two performers but, I have to admit, both of them are brilliant playing Buddy. If I was put on the spot and had to try and choose a favourite, I honestly don't think I can, to me it would be like being asked which of my 3 kids is my favourite.
The rest of the cast were amazing, again, even with the odd technical hiccup along the way, it never detracted from the performance. Steve Dorsett and Miguel Angel put on amazing performances again as the Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens. The ladies of the cast were wonderful as were the rest of the cast.
My three kids loved the show too, so it goes to show it IS a family show. On our way back to the car we, again, saw Steve and Gary, but also had the opporunity of meeting Glen, who is absolutely lovely in person, and then, lo and behold, out came Roger too, who also took the time for a chat and a photo. So we actually got to meet 'The two Buddy's'.
I just want to take a moment to mention all the cast members names, they deserve a mention as they do such a great job:
Gary Trainor (Hipockets Duncan) ,
Steve Dorsett(Big Bopper),
Kyle Riley (Norman Petty),
Glen Joseph (Buddy on some performances),
Roger Rowley (Buddy on some performances),
Christopher Redmond (plays Joe B Maudlin - watch for the double bass acrobatics, he does a great job and is more fun to watch),
Tom Millen(Jerry Allison - brilliant drummer),
Alex Marshall (Radio Engineer and DJ at The Apollo),
Katia Sartini (Vi Petty and Maria Elena's aunt - great actress, singer and musician),
Felicity Chilver (Candy and Maria Elena - wish I looked as good as her in a satin 'slip' and dressing gown, great performer and gets to kiss both Buddy's! Lucky lady!),
Melissa Keyes (Apollo Entertainer and Shirley - Brilliant singer, knows how to shake her thang and brilliant comic timing)
Miguel Angel (Apollo entertainer and Ritchie Valens - fantastic voice and looks great in lycra, and can shake his thang too!)
I hope I've spelt all your names correctly.
IF you haven't seen this show, yet, especially with this cast, I strongly urge you to go and see it. It's fun, it's emotional, educational and a joy to watch. These performers are a great team and, the ones we met before and after the show, are also really nice people in their 'civvies' too. The show only runs until December 3rd, so go check to see if they're coming near you, it's worth seeing. (Maybe I should be taken on in promo section, which incidently I'm not working for them, at all, just an enthusiastic theatre goer). Let Buddy Holly's legacy live on!
http://www.buddythemusical.com
