Celebrate the life and music of country legend Dolly Parton

The Dolly Parton Story comes to St Helens Theatre Royal on Saturday, May 7th and tells the tale of the blond bombshell from Tennessee who became a world famous singer/songwriter winning multiple awards and number one hits, as well as becoming a famous actor, author, businesswoman and humanitarian.

After four decades, Dolly’s music is still as popular as ever. Her recent critically acclaimed back to roots Bluegrass albums have shown that her music is still finding new audiences all over the world.

And now, one of the UK’s best Dolly Parton impersonators will be bringing Dolly’s charisma and music alive on stage in St Helens.

The Dolly Parton Story is brought to you by Andrea Pattison and The Partoners, a Country and Western tribute act who pay homage to Dolly Parton and all the fantastic music she has written and performed over the years.

This new theatre tribute show features an all live, 4 piece backing band playing accurate versions of Dolly’s most celebrated material.

The Dolly Parton Story is fronted by Andrea Pattison, a professional singer with many years’ experience. Based in the Newcastle/North East area, she is a life-long Dolly Parton fan and when many people commented on her similarity in sound and style to Dolly, Andrea took this as a huge compliment and decided to use her talent to reach a wider audience.

A new band was formed featuring some of the most capable and experienced musicians in the North East. Andrea and the band recorded a CD of Dolly’s best loved material, designed a website, picked the songs for the show and then started taking bookings for local theatres and venues. Since then, Andrea has performed as Dolly all over the UK, recent highlights have included sell out shows at Glasgow Pavilion and The Edinburgh Fringe.

Andrea said: “There is only one Dolly Parton – she has been such an inspiration to me over the years. We want to pay a respectful tribute to her with our new show. We wouldn’t be doing this if we didn’t think we could do the songs justice. I’m so pleased to be involved in this project, as I love Dolly and I love these songs.”

Andrea is able to closely mimic Dolly’s unmistakable sound and phrasing, as well as her renowned onstage wit and charm.

All of Dolly’s most celebrated material features in the show, from her early country classics such as Coat of Many Colours and Applejack, through to the later smash hits such as Jolene, Islands in the Stream, I Will Always Love You and 9 to 5.

As well as celebrating the life and music of Dolly Parton, Andrea will be incorporating her own experiences and music into the show. Andrea’s first album of original songs Stormy’s Daughter was recently released and is one of the songs will feature in the stage show.

Dolly’s influence on Andrea’s writing and singing is obvious throughout the album, but especially evident on the Bluegrass track Nobody’s Baby – a heartfelt recollection of her less than idyllic early life in Sunderland.

Chantelle Nolan, manager of St Helens Theatre Royal, said: “We’re so delighted to welcome Andrea Pattison to St Helens Theatre Royal. She looks and sounds uncannily like Dolly Parton and we know that Dolly fans will love her, and hopefully she will win the hearts of a new Dolly generation!”

To find out more about The Dolly Parton Story and to hear the band’s recent recordings visit: www.dollypartonstory.com