Show bringing Buddy Holly to life in Barking

The cast of Buddy Holly and The Cricketers. Picture: Alan Howard (Image: Alan Howard)

The popular singer’s hits are set to be performed at The Broadway, Barking on Saturday, in a show designed for those familiar with his music as well as those new to it.

“It’s not a tribute show,” explained producer Simon Fielder of the show, Buddy Holly and The Cricketers.

“It’s a show of what it would be like if Buddy was touring now, with an English band.

“We have crowd interaction and people dancing along.”

The concept is based around the variety shows that Buddy was placed in during his one and only UK tour, which included an appearance at the Granada in nearby East Ham.

“They would be doing two or three appearances in an evening,” Simon said.

“Buddy got Des O’Connor, who was the compere, to give him a joke which he told to the audience.

“He wrote to his mother to say that he was getting more laughs than the comedian.”

Although Buddy only visited the UK once, in 1958, Simon revealed the American star - who died in a plane crash in February 1959 - had been considering moving over here as he felt this was where the future of music would be.

“In March, we visited seven of the venues that were on Buddy’s tour, five of them on the same night,” said Simon.

The show has been running since 1992, when a group of actor-musicians in the West End play Buddy decided to create their own performance based on the singer’s music.

Since then, the stars have been recast, but to Simon, it’s the music of Buddy that has seen the show stand the test of time.

“He inspired a lot of people,” he said.

“The Beatles, Keith Richard of the Rolling Stones, Brian May of Queen.

“A lot of people said Buddy was an inspiration to them.”

Buddy Holly and The Cricketers will be at The Broadway at 7.30pm on Saturday, November 3.

For tickets, which cost £20.50 with discounts for concessions, visit thebroadwaybarking.com