Step Behind The Stage
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
Gordon Craig Theatre, Stevenage - 28/04/2026
Review by Daniel Marshall
Photo Credit: Hamish Gill @f8creates
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story has returned to the road, and this week the UK tour rolled into Stevenage's Gordon Craig Theatre. Originally opening in 1989 and having spent over fourteen years on London's West End, the show has become a true staple of the UK touring scene. It weaves biographical storytelling with concert recreations to pay tribute to the groundbreaking yet tragically brief career of Rock and Roll legend Buddy Holly, following his journey from an up-and-coming country singer to a world-renowned rock ‘n’ roll trailblazer.
The cast is packed full of multi-talented actor-musicians, bringing the timeless stars of yesteryear to lif. Many take on multiple roles across the evening, yet you would rarely know it, such is the distinctiveness each performer brings to every character they inhabit. Leading them is AJ Jenks, who feels born to play the titular role. He has the look, the voice and the moves to pull you into a world of escapism where the real Buddy Holly feels genuinely present on stage. Buddy’s band The Crickets are equally outstanding, with Melker Nilsson's take on Joe B. Mauldin particularly grabbing attention through a series of double bass tricks.
Photo Credit: Hamish Gill @f8creates
The show is split across two halves, each with a distinct feel. The first charts the rise of Buddy Holly, from his earliest days to becoming a true icon of the era, whilst the second becomes a joyous celebration of his life, music and the extraordinary legacy he left behind. Along the way a number of iconic figures from the 1950s music scene are brought to life, most notably Miguel Angel's hip-thrusting, pelvis-shaking Ritchie Valens and Joshua Barton's brilliantly tongue-in-cheek Big Bopper, both of whom along with Buddy himself would tragically lose their lives in the same plane crash. The show handles that weight with real sensitivity, never allowing it to overshadow the joy whilst ensuring it is never forgotten either.
What makes Buddy so enduring is how expertly it balances tone. It is a joyous tribute to not just Buddy Holly himself but to the lasting cultural impact he left behind. It carries an infectious energy, hilarious moments, yet never shying away from the sorrow woven through his story. It is easy to see why this show is still so loved after so many years.
Cast on the Night:
AJ Jenks – Buddy Holly
Stephen Alexander-Kerr – Jerry Allison
Miguel Angel – Ritchie Valens & Tyrone Jones
Joshua Barton – Hipockets & The Big Bopper
Andrew Farrell – Murray Deutch & Decca Producer
Ewan Ling – Apollo DJ & Jack Daw
Marta Miranda – Vi Petty & Maria Elena
Melker Nilsson – Joe B. Mauldin
Thomas Fabian Parrish – Norman Petty & MC
Laura-Dene Perryman – Marlena Madison
Joe Sterling – Niki Sullivan