I Went to a Dolly Parton musical in Wimbledon – it was as random as it was brilliant
I went in expecting a fun night, but what I got was, let’s just say, a storyline so random, it could only work if it had Dolly’s sparkle sprinkled all over it.
And somehow, it did.
A trio of iconic blondes (Image: Poppy Huggett)
The musical, created by Bruce Vilanch, Gabriel Barre, and Tricia Paoluccio, follows a guy named Kevin (played by the hilarious Steven Webb), who is really struggling with the pandemic.
He’s stuck in his mum’s attic, rethinking his life, his relationships, and basically trying to figure out how to combat the mess that is 2020.
Enter Dolly Parton – not in person, of course, but as a hallucination.
Dolly’s spirit appears to guide Kevin through his emotional breakdowns and dilemmas, like a southern angel with fabulous hair and impeccable advice.
As the famous saying goes, “What would Dolly do?”
Tricia Paoluccio, who played Dolly, absolutely nailed her voice – I couldn’t tell if it was Dolly herself or someone who’d just spent way too many hours listening to Jolene.
Paoluccio as the leading lady Dolly Parton (Image: Dolly Parton Musical: Here You Come Again)
The cast was stacked with talent, including Aidan Cutler, Emma Jayne Fernley, and Austin Garrett, who, as the backing vocalists, brought their own flair and energy to the stage, chipping in with laughs, harmonies, and some serious moves.
And let’s not forget Steven Webb – his comedic timing was spot-on, with the audience laughing pretty much nonstop whenever he was on.
Steven Webb took on the hilarious and relatable role of Kevin (Image: Dolly Parton Musical: Here You Come Again)
His ability to make Kevin’s breakdowns both funny and relatable really elevated the whole experience.
The plot is an undoubtedly an unexpected one – Kevin, holed up in his mum’s attic during the pandemic, starts seeing Dolly Parton as a hallucination.
The story is light, fun, and surprisingly emotional, with a dash of nostalgia.
In the chaos of the pandemic, Kevin’s journey – guided by his Dolly-induced visions – has an oddly comforting quality.
The dynamic stars in action (Image: Dolly Parton Musical: Here You Come Again)
If you’re a Dolly fan, this show is basically your greatest hits playlist come to life.
From Here You Come Again to Jolene, the songs were spot on and had the whole theatre clapping along.
And just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, we were welcomed back after the interval by the iconic 9 to 5, followed by I Will Always Love You.
The cast of Here You Come Again (Image: Dolly Parton Musical: Here You Come Again) By the end, the whole theatre was on its feet, giving a well-deserved standing ovation to what was, honestly, a bit of a random but thoroughly enjoyable night.
If you get the chance, go – just don’t expect a traditional storyline.
But then again, when has Dolly ever done traditional?