This is our review of Here You Come Again at Liverpool‘s Empire Theatre!
Synopsis Of Here You Come Again
It’s the summer of 2020, and we’re in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. And we meet Kevin (Steven Webb), who puts on a brave face amidst the challenges of social distancing. This includes living in the attic of his parent’s house and spending time away from his boyfriend. The trying times worsen for Kevin when his partner asks, via text, to break up, only to keep trying to contact him.
Amidst the uncertainty and unhappiness, though, Kevin finds inspiration through his hero Dolly Parton (Charlotte Elizabeth Yorke). And indeed, Dolly herself shows up to provide guidance and hope for Kevin. Not to mention the occasional classic, catchy tune! But will it suffice for Kevin as he grapples with his personal struggles during the height of the pandemic?
Analysis Of Here You Come Again
The show was written during the lockdowns of 2020-2021, making the plot feel authentic and true to the timeline. Indeed, we’re reminded of some behaviours that, prior to the pandemic, would seem inconceivable, but became a reality. There are also humorous nudges towards the sillier elements of the time, such as a mass purchase of loo rolls. Look out for the “guest” to a lockdown party too …
The best part, of course, is the singing, with Charlotte Elizabeth Yorke providing an utterly believable performance as Dolly Parton. From the accent to the visuals, it’s like Dolly herself is present. And we get plenty of vintage Dolly tracks for the audience to enjoy and sing along to. Not ignoring the performance of Steven Dunne, whose acting reminds us of just how mentally challenging the pandemic really was.
Summary Of Here You Come Again
I must emphasise that this isn’t a Dolly tribute show, but uses Dolly’s music to tell a relatable and emotional story. And as Dolly is all about putting smiles on faces, this show should satisfy any attendees come the big finale. It’s an unorthodox show, but it works, and is definitely worth a look, especially for longtime Dolly fans.
