Buddy extends booking period
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
BUDDY has once again extended its booking period at the Duchess Theatre, this time by seven months – until March 28, 2009.
Previously Posted: The musical Buddy has extended its booking period at the Duchess Theatre for the second time – on this occasion by nine weeks, thereby taking the current booking period to August 30, 2008.
Previously Posted: The bio-musical Buddy which opens on August 7, 2007 (previews from August 3) at the Duchess Theatre, has extended its booking period by six months – until June 28, 2008.
Previously Posted: As expected, Dean Elliot and Matthew Wycliffe who shared the role of Buddy Holly in the touring production of Buddy, will continue in the role when the popular musical transfers to the West End’s Duchess Theatre, where it opens on August 7, 2007 (previews from August 3).
The 13-strong cast will also include Lucia Rovardi (Maria Elena), Lee Ormsby (Big Bopper), Miguel Angel (Ritchie Valens), Gavin Barnes, Hayley Berkley, Chris Grahamson, Kerry James, Greg Last, Mike Lloyd, Sean Needham, Wendy Paver and Nick Sayce.
Previously Posted: Five years after it completed a 12-year West End run, the musical Buddy is returning to theatreland’s heart – to the Duchess Theatre where it opens on August 7, 2007 (previews from August 3).
The show, a bio-musical, is a tribute to rock ‘n’ roll singer Buddy Holly who died in a plane crash on February 3, 1959, at the age of just 22.
Spanning three years and featuring songs such as Peggy Sue, That’ll Be the Day, Oh Boy, Heartbeat and Raining in My Heart, Buddy follows the young singer’s meteoric rise to fame, his first recording contract, his move to New York and the last tour of America’s Midwest – along with Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper.
Buddy premiered at the West End’s Victoria Palace in October 1989 and six years later, transferred to the Strand Theatre (now the Novello). Since closing in March 2002, it has toured both nationally and internationally – in Australia, New Zealand, America, Canada, Japan, Germany, Holland, Sweden and South Africa. In total, it has been seen by more than 20 million people.
The current UK tour, which has Dean Elliot and Matthew Wycliffe sharing the title role, will transfer directly to the Duchess Theatre. However, casting for the London production has yet to be confirmed.
Buddy is initially booking until January 5, 2008.