BUDDY

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Welcome to "Buddy", a musical celebration of the legendary singer/songwriter Buddy Holly, who shot to stardom in 1957, only to die in a plane crash two years later alongside 17-year-old Ritchie Valens and J.P. Richardson - the 'Big Bopper'. This was PUKKA's fourth major production in Barry Memorial Hall and it was a real 'get those shoes off and sock hop' event...OH BOY! With the support of local radio DJ, Hipockets Duncan, Buddy and his two friends form a Country & Western band - Buddy Holly & the Crickets - and begin to carve out a career in music. After a difficult start at Decca in Nashville, they sign a contract with up and coming, innovative record producer Norman Petty. Within hours, Buddy Holly & the Crickets start to churn out hits from the recording studio built in Norman's backyard, among them "That'll Be The Day", which soon rockets up the charts and reaches number one within two weeks. Buddy Holly & the Crickets are suddenly the hottest act in the country and out on national tour. Whilst recording in New York, Buddy proposes to Maria Elena Santiago, the Puerto Rican receptionist of his record publisher after a courtship of all of five hours! Newly married and ambitious, he completely shifts focus to New York and a rift develops between him and The Crickets. After a declaration of home truths during a recording session, the band split and Buddy unexpectedly finds himself having to pursue a solo career. Buddy joins The Winter Dance Party, a bus tour through the Midwest quenching the teenage thirst for the new music called Rock 'n' Roll. The tour is hard work, the weather conditions appalling and the performers are alternating between sleeping in the luggage racks and dropping into hospital to be treated for frostbite. Our story ends on February 3rd, 1959, after a rocking concert at the Surf Ballroom in Iowa. Buddy makes the fateful decision to break his promise to his pregnant wife not to fly and he and the other two head-liners board a small plane and take off into the night destined for their next show. During a snow storm, in the dead of night, the plane crashes with no survivors. The tragedy shocks the world, snatching the lives of three of the world's most dynamic musical talents: Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper. Buddy Holly's brief life is immortalised in this dynamic and heart-rending stage show. It's a celebration of the man, his music and life, that catches that unique mixture of innocence, determination, humour and charm that was Buddy Holly, and wraps it all into a package that truly deserves the billing: The World's Most Successful Rock & Roll Musical! http://www.buddythemusical.com Production Photographs Click any image to see the full size version

Promotion Photographs Click any image to see the full size version

Cast Credits Buddy Holly Glenn Jones Hipockets Duncan Ceris Jones The Crickets Jerry Allison Calum Small Joe B. Mauldin Dean Matthews Maria Elena Santiago Carmen Brookes Norman Petty Ritchie Valens Iain Scott Vi Petty Emma Messer Apollo Theatre Singers Jamie Lee Brennan Catherine Scott JP Richardson (The Big Bopper) Murray Deutch Alun Brown Decca Producer Jack Daw Rob Minchin Marie Lou Sokolof Naomi Everson Shirley Nicola Boyd Anderson English DJ Christian Bullen Hayrider Chorus Joe Mees Hayrider Backing singer Marged Simpson Backing singer Chorus Karen Standen Dancers Nicola Boyd Anderson Amy Bruno Jenny Hunt Rachel Shankland Hayley Stephens Charlotte Groves Amy Fundalski Abi Anderson Naomi Everson Louise Ball   Sacha Atkinson, Megan Woolmer, Molly Rodgers, Lucy Rodgers, Harriet Knowles, Katie Mills, Emma Leering, Abbey Sims, Charlotte Milne, Sophie Williams, Jemima Scott, Ossian Jones, Rowan Jones, Jack Benlican, Callum Connell, Rowan Connell, Beth Norman, Arianne Thompson, Lamara Dennis, Megan John, Teah Thompson, Chloe Lipscombe, Megan Howard, Kathryn Bullen, Georgia Bullen, Chloe Davies and Olivia Griffith. Heartbeat dance duet Naomi Everson Christian Bullen Peggy Sue dance solo Louise Ball The Band Ben Davies Keyboards David Thompson Keyboards Viv Lock Guitar Andy Mulligan Bass Mike Sunderland Drums Production Team Director Sarah Benlican Musical Director (Performance) Ben Davies Musical Director (Rehearsals) Dot Connell Choreographer Nicola Boyd Anderson Assistant Choreographer Amy Bruno Costume Designer Sue Williams Marigold Costumes Costume Assistant Amy Jones Make up Hannah Jones Elin Griffith Graphic Design Photography Kath Williams Martin Hopkins Partnership Technical Production Manager Lighting Design Leighton Thomas-Burnett Technical Crew Sound Huw Semmens Lighting Simon Hose Will Ambrose Matt Davies Lee Macliston Pam James-Blackwood Petites Directors Christian Bullen Naomi Everson Accounts Loraine Gittins Sound supplied by Stage Sound Services Cardiff Lighting & Staging supplied by Stage Lighting Services Cardiff Props Celtic Prop Hire   Thanks everyone, especially Barry Methodist Circuit Kate Long, Gemma and the Memo staff Richard Lewis Positive Images Amelia Trust Farm Ali Griffiths And a big thanks to all the parents of our 'Petites' for your continued support

PUKKA is a non-profit organisation. All profits are donated to local community charities.