THE WORLD’S MOST SUCCESSFUL & ROCK & ROLL MUSICAL

by | Feb 2, 2023 | Dartford Entertainment, Uncategorized

2023 UK TOUR

BUDDY – THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY 

PURE UNADULTERATED FUN              “THE SHOW YOU’LL NEVER FORGET” 

                     Daily Telegraph​​​​       Daily Mail

On the back of an incredibly successful 30th year anniversary tour, smash hit rock & roll musical Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story is back in the UK for 2023 and visits The Orchard Theatre, Dartfordfrom Tue 16 – Sat 20 May.

Buddy has enjoyed phenomenal success, having played a record-breaking 4668 performances over 580 weeks on tour in the UK and Ireland, as well as 5822 performances over 728 weeks in London’s West End. Buddy is one of a small number of iconic musicals including Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Miss Saigon, Evita and Cats in reaching a phenomenal three decades on stage. 

Loved by critics and audiences alike, Buddy tells the enduring story ofthe 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. In 18 short months the bespectacled boy from Lubbock, Texas, revolutionised the face of contemporary music, and would influence everyone from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones.

Boasting a multi-talented cast of actor-musicians, Buddy presents 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, Everydayand Rave On. With the Big Bopper’s Chantilly Lace and Ritchie Valens’ La Bamba, and rip-roaring versions of Shout and Johnny B. Goode completing a stellar musical line-up, Buddy is a not to be missed evening of family entertainment.

Writer/Producer Alan Janes says: “We are so excited to be back on tour and to see our audiences – aged 8 to 80 – dance in the aisles every night to our story of a young man whose musical career spanned an all-too-brief period, but whose music will be remembered forever.”

Since its inception, Buddy has inspired a generation of multi-million selling jukebox musicals including Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You yet remains the true original and a musical phenomenon. Seen by more than 22 million theatregoers since it opened in London’s West End in 1989, Buddy speaks an international language and continues to have audiences rockin’ in the aisles across the globe!

‘IT’S STILL BUDDY BRILLIANT’

                    The Sun

To book tickets for Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story at The Orchard Theatre from Tue 16 – Sat 20 May visit orchardtheatre.co.uk or call the Box Office 0343 310 0033

New Fund Launched to Support Community Groups in Dartford

Kent Community Foundation is delighted to be working in partnership with Dartford Borough Council to provide funding for community and voluntary groups operating across the unparished areas of Dartford – covering the west and north of the borough, including Dartford...

Sell-out Irish Christmas spectacular A Fairytale for Christmas to come to Dartford!

Following four sell-out tours, Irish Christmas concert A Fairytale for Christmas returns for its biggest tour yet this winter, including a monumental night at West End’s Dominion Theatre. This fantastic celebration from the team behind crowd-pleaser Seven Drunken...

Diagrama Fostering Partners with Dartford FC Youth Academy

Diagrama Fostering, a not-for-profit fostering agency dedicated to supporting vulnerable children and young people across Kent and the South East, is proud to announce a new partnership with Dartford FC Youth Academy, part of Dartford Football Club. Dartford FC Youth...

DARTFORD FC WOMEN | CLASS OF 2025-26 | MEET SHAUNI GRIFFITHS

Saturday saw Dartford take on Cheshunt at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. Chris Palmer spoke to Dartford FC Women attacker Shauni Griffiths, who featured in the matchday programme for that fixture. For those who missed it, here is the article: It's always a pleasure...

DARTFORD FC | CLASS OF 2025-26 | MEET SAMMIE MCLEOD

Saturday saw Dartford take on Cheshunt at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. Chris Palmer spoke to Dartford FC midfielder Sammie McLeod, who featured in the matchday programme for that fixture. For those who missed it, here is the article: Sammie McLeod arrived at...

Mick Jagger Centre Celebrates 25 Years with Arts Festival & Community Extravaganza

The Mick Jagger Centre is proud to celebrate its 25th Anniversary, marking 25 years of inspiring creativity and community spirit in Dartford. To honour this milestone, the Centre is launching a brand-new Arts Festival, beginning with a vibrant Community Festival...

DARTFORD’S ORCHARD WEST IS NOMINATED FOR A THIRD AWARD!

We’re thrilled to share that The Orchard West team has been nominated for the UK Theatre Awards 2025 – Excellence in Workforce Culture! This nomination recognises the incredible resilience, creativity, and collaboration that turned the closure of The Orchard Theatre...

Mo Gilligan – The Mo You Know – Coming to Dartford

Off the back of his acclaimed In The Moment world tour, triple BAFTA winning standup sensation Mo Gilligan has announced his brand new 2026 world tour The Mo You Know. The tour will see Mo head to United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, The Middle East,...

Bluewater is set to welcome Kent’s first Stradivarius store

Bluewater has announced that global fashion brand Stradivarius will be joining its retail line-up in 2026. The Spanish brand will be located in a 8,488 sq ft unit on the Lower Thames Walk opposite Goldsmiths. Originally a family-owned women’s fashion brand,...

DARTFORD FC | CLASS OF 2025-26 | MEET DAN SMITH

Back on the 6th of September, Dartford took on Canvey Island at Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park. Chris Palmer spoke with striker Dan Smith, who featured in the matchday programme for that fixture. For those who missed it, here is the article: With Dartford boss Ady...