Here You Come Again

Here You Come Again takes one of the most bizarre concepts for a show I’ve come across and somehow turns it into a genuine piece of art that will have your sides splitting and your mind blown. The production is set in a hilariously nostalgic view of life in lockdown, following a Dolly Parton-obsessed man called Kevin who is isolating alone in his parents’ attic. Kevin, played by Steven Webb, finds himself at a difficult point in life, unsure which direction to take. To ease his pain, he decides to put on his most beloved vinyl, Here You Come Again by Dolly Parton. However, to his surprise, the real Dolly joins him in his attic. Dolly, played by genius co-writer Tricia Paoluccio, acts as an almost fairy godmother figure, helping Kevin get his life back on track. This sets the scene for a two-hour journey of high-octane theatre that had the audience in stitches from start to finish.

Here You Come Again is much more than a silly comedy musical, though. It is a journey of self-discovery and self-love, delivering an important message for all. Steven Webb’s performance throughout the show is nothing short of sensational. On several occasions he had the entire stage to himself, and it almost felt like we were watching a one-man show. He brought so much laughter to the stage through a variety of comedic techniques, each delivered masterfully. Webb was just as comfortable delivering snarky sarcasm as he was being an overexcited fanboy, and whatever he did had the audience howling. His performance of Jolene went down as a firm crowd favourite, much of which was thanks to his physical comedy. Webb also made sure it was not all jokes, however, as his emotional acting was truly gut-wrenching at times, adding depth to his truly loveable character.

For most of the performance, Kevin is joined on stage by the one and only Dolly Parton. Tricia Paoluccio embodies Dolly to perfection, capturing her quick wit, subtle vocal nuances, and charisma. More than anything, it is Paoluccio’s voice that takes your breath away. She captured the full range of Dolly’s vocal delivery while showcasing her own musical prowess, taking many songs to entirely new levels. Alongside her musicality, Paoluccio more than matched the comedic brilliance of Webb. The casting could not have been more perfect, with palpable chemistry between the two throughout.