'Buddy' to Return to West End's Duchess Theatre in Aug.

Buddy, the hit biographical musical about rock legend Buddy Holly, will return to the West End after a five year absence, according to Whatsonstage.com.

Buddy will reopen at the Duchess Theatre on August 7th for a run after beginning previews on August 3rd.  The musical is booking through January 5th, 2008.

The production will be a transfer of the current UK tour, which stars Dean Elliott and Matthew Wycliffe (who alternate in the title role).  London casting will be announced.  Buddy previously ran in the West End from October of 1989 through March of 2002.  Originating at the Victoria Palce, the musical transfered to the Strand Theatre (since renamed the Novello) and then to the Duchess.  Since its London closing, it has toured in the UK and abroad.

Featuring the songs of Holly, the musical follows the fabled life of the star, who shot to fame as an icon of rock 'n' roll before dying in a plane crash (along with Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper) at the age of 22 in 1959.  Buddy is written by Alan Janes and Rob Bettinson, the show's director.  It features designs by Adrian Rees, with lighting and projections by Joe Atkins and sound by Peter Cox (for Thames Audio).  Since its opening, more than seven million people are estimated to have seen Buddy.