The Buddy Holly Story, Wolverhampton Grand Theatre - review

And as this infectious, feel good musical extravaganza enters its 29th year of touring and delighting audiences across the globe, it feels as fresh and entertaining as ever.

It's a tale of laughter and tears, depicting the rise to fame but sadly also the untimely death of the young Texan musician, Buddy Holly, who despite perishing in a fatal air crash at the age of just 22 along two other stars of the time, The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, lived his short life to the full and changed the face of popular music.

It takes an extraordinarily talented cast to create this musical. Each and every performer plays instruments, sings live on stage and dances, not to mention acting their roles.

Uber talented Glen Joseph played the role of Buddy Holly at this performance, whom I have seen twice before and as predicted, he brought the house down, recreating the unforgettable sound of Buddy Holly and The Crickets to perfection. No lip cinqing or miming here! He shares the role with Alex Fobbester who I believe does an equally good job so whichever performance you choose to attend, you will be in for a treat.

The role of Jerry Allison who famously created the knee slapping on the hit single Every Day, is played by Josh Haberfield whose incredible drumming technique centres every piece of music in the show, while Joe Butcher does a great job in the role of the other Cricket, Joe B Mauldin.

There are cameos galore with Miguel Angel and Jordan Cunningham standing out with a superb rendition of Shout in their roles as the Apollo performers. Jordan also doubles as Ritchie Valens offering a rip-roaring version of La Bamba with hip swinging to make the ladies swoon! He is just how I imagine Ritchie Valens to be.

Thomas Mitchells is hilarious as The Big Bopper and the supporting cast work their socks off to make sure the 1950's vibe rings throughout the theatre.

There is something so heartfelt and real about Buddy Holly's music. The hits as you would expect come thick and fast including Rave On, Peggy-Sue, Maybe Baby and Oh Boy, which simply raise the roof and you leave the theatre dancing on air and humming them, but also the stunning Rainin' in my Heart and True Love Ways are romance personified and Glen Joseph's excellent performance is guaranteed to melt even the hardest heart.

It's impossible not to be saddened by the end to the tale, especially this week as February 3 is the anniversary of Buddy's death, but you still leave on a high as the rousing rock and roll finale has the whole theatre on its feet in honour of a young man who certainly left a footprint on the hearts of not only his own generation, but those to come too.

Outstanding entertainment! Runs until Saturday. Call 01902 429212 or see www.grandtheatre.co.uk for tickets.

By Alison Norton