Celebrating an amazing 25th year anniversary with a 2013-14 UK & Eire national tour, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story proves that whilst there have been many imitators over the years, this show - that inspired a generation multi-million selling juke-box musicals including Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You - remains the true original and a musical phenomenon.
Today, the first of 2014’s dates are announced as Buddy is set to open at Churchill Theatre, Bromley on 27January.
Seen by over 22 million music fans since it opened in London’s West End in 1989, Buddy speaks an international language and continues to have audiences from 8–80 rockin’ in the aisles across the globe.
Loved by critics and audiences alike, Buddy tells the enduring tale of the musical icon’s meteoric rise to fame and his final legendary performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, before his tragic and untimely death at the age of 22. In 18 short months the Texas-born boy revolutionized the face of contemporary music influencing everyone from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen.
Boasting a phenomenally multi-talented cast, together they present two terrific hours of music with over 20 of his greatest hits, including the timeless classics That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy and Rave On.
With the Big Bopper’s Chantilly Lace and Ritchie Valens’ La Bamba completing a stellar musical line-up, Buddy is a not to be missed evening of family entertainment Buddy’s widow, Maria Elena Holly, says of the show’s latest milestone: “When we opened the show we never imagined Buddy’s music and story would still be rocking stages and entertaining audiences around the world week-in week-out 25 years later. I believe this is testament to a great show – the first of its kind – and to the enduring appeal of Buddy Holly and what he represents; a youthful energy, huge talent and creativity, combined with a determination to make a lasting impression in this world. Buddy was certainly a one-off, as the show demonstrates. It’s incredible to witness subsequent generations getting carried away in Buddy’s music - proof that his spirit lives on through all of us.
“Buddy is one of those shows that an audience trusts; and once someone has bought their ticket they know they are in for a fantastic night out.”
Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story – 25 Years in Numbers:
• In total, our Buddy Hollys have sung 17 songs 259,671 times
• 185,000 guitar strings have been replaced (92 miles) and over 203,000 plectrums used
• Over 3,250 pairs of trousers have had to be replaced – due to Buddy knee-sliding across stages throughout the world – and 400 pairs of glasses
• Over 33 tons of Persil has been used by our Wardrobe Masters and Mistresses, as well as more than 2,275 gallons of fabric conditioner
• 145,000 feet (27.46 miles) of guitar cable has been used and 2,829,214 radio mic batteries replaced
• The trucks that are used to transport the show from venue to venue have now travelled approximately five-and-three-quarter times around the world!
• Over 3.3 million programmes have been sold
• The performers have drunk over 102,000 gallons of bottled water. The beer intake has never been monitored!
• Since Buddy first began there have been 24 actors playing the title role of Buddy in the West End, on tour and on Broadway: Paul Hipp, Billy Geraghty, Joe Warren Davies, Ken Triwush, Stephen Gray, Chip Esten, Joe Lutton, Alex Bourne, Martin Fisher, Angus MacGregor, John Sheridon, Craig Urbani, Kevin Pallister, Robert Burke Warren, Klaus White, Van Zieler, Reuven Gershon, Edward Handoll, Elliot Harper, Dean Elliott, Matthew Wycliffe, Glen Joseph, Oliver Seymour Marsh and Roger Rowley
• The Cast album has received a Gold Disc and is ‘Buddy’ close to reaching Platinum!
• Throughout the world ten couples have met and married while working in the company and there have been 20 Buddy babies!
“THIS SHOW IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST. IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN THE BRILLIANT MUSICAL ‘BUDDY’ YET, BUY YOUR TICKET NOW!”
The Sun
ENDS
LISTINGS
Theatre Churchill Theatre Bromley, High Street, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1HA
Dates Tue 28 Jan – Sat 1 Feb 28
Ticket Prices £10 - £27.50 (Premium seats available)
Press Night Tue 28 Jan
Box Office 0844 871 7620 (bkg fee)
Website www.atgtickets.com/bromley (bkg fee)
Twitter @The_Churchill
Facebook www.facebook.com/churchilltheatrebromley
