Newcastle's Glen Joseph raves on as Buddy Holly

ONE British theatre's most enduring touring shows, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story has extended its current tour to take in the Sunderland Empire from Thursday, February 9 to Saturday, February 11.

Geordie Glen Joseph has been in the lead role for almost a decade now and shares top billing with Alex Fobbester (the two alternate as Buddy).

The Wearside date is shortly after what would have been Buddy Holly’s 80th birthday. On February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly, JP Richardson “The Big Bopper” and Ritchie Valens did their final gig in Clearlake, Iowa, before a fateful flight ended their careers. Buddy was 22, Bopper was 28 and Ritchie was 17.

Seen by more than 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 aged 8 to 80 years old rockin’ in the aisles. In 18 months, Texas-born Buddy revolutionized the face of contemporary music influencing everyone from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen.

The cast also boasts Miguel Angel, Joe Butcher, Celia Cruwys-Finnigan, Jordan Cunningham, Josh Haberfield, Kerry Low, Thomas Mitchells, Matthew Quinn, Tom Sowinski and Alex Tosh. Together they present two thours of music with more than 20 of his greatest hits, including the timeless classics That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy and Rave On.

The Big Bopper’s Chantilly Lace and Ritchie Valens’ La Bamba complete a the musical line-up. The show has inspired a generation of multi-million selling juke-box musicals, including Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You, and still remains a true original and a musical phenomenon.

Buddy’s widow, Maria Elena Holly, says: “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 more than 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.”

Box Office: 0844-871-3022 or ATGtickets.com/Sunderland