Buddy

All photos: Ed Waring

Review by Russell Cook from Suffolk Village Info.

A wonderful talent, tragically and dramatically cut short, Buddy Holly’s death sent shock waves through the rock and roll community during the 1950s … but his string of hits live on. And many of them feature in this brilliant stage version of his life - ‘The Buddy Holly Story’.

The sensational, multi award-winning West End show first opened in 1989 and has been thrilling audiences around the world ever since.

Now the musical is on stage at The Regent Theatre, in Ipswich, and it’s a rip roaring, rock around, perfect portrayal of the young American singers’ short life.

The actors/musicians portraying the short life of the singer/guitarist are fantastic, displaying their passion, craft and excitement as they tell Buddy’s story - from his Texas rockabilly beginnings to international stardom and his legendary final performance at the Surf Ballroom, in Clear Lake, Iowa. Immediately after the show he stepped onto an aeroplane with fellow artists, 17-year-old Ritchie Valens and J P Richardson (the Big Bopper), but it crashed in bad weather shortly after take off, killing all on board and thus ending Buddy’s short life at just 22 years old, in 1959.

But my oh my, didn’t he cram in a mass of hit songs in his short life, performing across the US along with his band The Crickets, and also on a punishing tour of the UK in 1958 (including a session at The Gaumont, formerly The Regent Theatre, on March 15).

This musical features two terrific hours of the greatest songs including ‘That’ll Be The Day’, ‘Oh Boy’, ‘Rave On’,’Chantilly Lace’, ‘Johnny B. Goode’, ‘Raining In My Heart’, ‘Everyday’, ‘Shout’, ‘Peggy Sue’, and many, many more, all of which are highlighted with a foot-tapping, hand-clapping Buddy brilliant finale.

The guys and gals turn up the volume and the music for the final section of the show!

Taking the lead, A J Jenks portrays Holly’s warmth, musicianship and fun personality to perfection, while Miguel Angel grabs the spotlight with his excessive hip rolling portrayal of Valens and Tyrone Jones. The pair are backed up with a raft of super talented cast who all pick up an instrument throughout the show.

‘The Buddy Holly Story’ is now nearing the end of its 2025/26 tour of the UK, with the final show taking place on Saturday at the Ipswich theatre.

So there’s still time to get tickets…

Buddy is at Ipswich Regent Theatre until 30 May.

FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE