Dragon Review: Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story – Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Published on: 14 Nov, 2025
Updated on: 14 Nov, 2025

AJ Jenks as Buddy

By Ferenc Hepp

Before the Beatles, before the Stones, before even Rock & Roll was recognised, there was Buddy Holly.

Whether you can remember the 1950s, or have experienced the music of this era more recently, the name of Buddy Holly must be familiar to you.

Alan Janes, writer and executive producer, is at the Yvonne Arnaud this week with Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, as part of its national tour, which is scheduled to tour the country until the end of May next year.

The career and life of Buddy Holly, along with The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, were tragically cut short on the February 3, 1959 when they all perished in a plane crash, and this is commemorated in the show with a very poignant moment – but for the rest of the time you are guaranteed one big party for the rest of the time.

Buddy’s career was very short, and we do get an insight into some of his story, especially how he got bored with country music and developed his style of rock ‘n roll. We also meet some of the people who formed part of this journey at various music studios.

But the focus is mostly on Buddy’s songs and performances at various venues, culminating at the Iowa Clear Lake Concert.

All the classics are featured, such as That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue (we find out how this song got its name), Oh Boy, Rave On, and many more.

The setting and costumes perfectly reflect the world of the 1950s. Having been told by Decca Records that “You can’t sing and you can’t play” Buddy’s turning point happens at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem, where along with the Crickets he is are an unexpected hit, provoking a move to New York City as a solo artist.

Buddy and his Crickets

In the show, the Crickets have a good chemistry, it would have been interesting to find out how they met and formed. Stephen Alexander-Kerr, as Jerry Allison, especially has some great comic timing and funny moments.

The majority of the cast multi-task throughout the show by taking on different roles, and Thomas Fabian Parrish is no exception, who goes from Norman Petty, the record producer, to MC at Clearlake. He has has a brilliant rapport with the crowd and gets us going with some audience participation.

A special mention must also go to Joshua Barton as The Big Bopper, and Miguel Angel as Ritchie Valens, who both contribute to the fantastic atmosphere with some outstanding and fun performances of their famous numbers.

Miguel Angel as Ritchie Valens

The role of Buddy Holly is shared between two actors, but at this performance, AJ Jenks took on this iconic role and did not disappoint. He clearly depicts Buddy’s journey from an ordinary country singer to a rock ’n roll star, is full of energy, and works very well with the rest of the cast.

In fact, it is obvious that everyone on that stage, while working very hard, has a great time and this reflected by the reaction of the Arnaud audience who could not wait to get out of their seats to dance and join in the party!

Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story runs until Saturday, November 15 and tickets are available
via www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk or telephone: 01483 440000.

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