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Buddy

Author: Luke Spencer

Information

Date
28th September 2022
Society
Melyncrythan Musical Theatre Company
Venue
Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot
Type of Production
Musical
Director
Anthony Argyle
Musical Director
Matt Hampson
Choreographer
Anthony Argyle

Loved by critics and audiences alike, Buddy tells the enduring story of the musical icon’s meteoric rise from his Southern rockabilly beginnings to international stardom and his legendary final performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, before his tragic and untimely death at the age of just 22. And the audience were indeed in for a treat with this production by MMTC. As we have come to expect of this talented company, there were fantastic performances, great energy and some very fine singing indeed.

The whole company brought life to this show with lovely performances by the supporting cast of Ashe Hewitt, Declan Stewart, Stephanie Wright, and Hollie Mathias all of whom had great stage presence and added so much to the ensemble sound and choreography. 

There were great performances by Sam Freeman as Tommy/Ritchie Valens with fabulous vocals, Sophie Lewis as Vi Petty and Neil Parks as Murray Dutch/Compare. Sophie Marvelly was incredible as Buddy’s wife Maria-Elena showing real emotion and great thought in her characterisation, Connor Pope played the role of Hipockets Duncan brilliantly, and the exceptionally talented Dale Gravell as Norman Petty and the Big Bopper was outstanding both vocally and with great comic timing and stage presence. 

Of course the show would not be the show without Buddy and his band and here we had talent in abundance. Andy Walters-Burnett was great as bass player Joe Maudlin and Huw Jenkins showed his plethora of talents as drummer Jerry Allison. The performance of the night for me however was that of Steffan Lloyd as Buddy Holly. Not only did this talented actor give us an amazing Buddy ‘impersonation’ he really did become the character in his voice, mannerisms and in every song that he sang. It really was an absolutely outstanding performance, thank you for this Steffan! 

Of course our wonderful productions would not be possible without a production team working hard behind the scenes and mention must go to Anthony Argyle for his artistic direction and to Matt Hampson for his great musical direction, so important in a show like this.

Well done to entire company and I look forward to the next show!

 

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