The rockin', rollin', smash-hit extravaganza hits the road after 13 years in the West End.

If you haven't caught the Buddy bug already, this vibrant musical tells the tale of the song-writing genius's rise to fame and includes well-known hits such as Peggy-Sue and That'll Be The Day.

As well as following Buddy's career, which blossoms as each euphoric hit is churned out, the musical tracks the artist's whirlwind romance with his fiancee, Maria Elena, a young Spanish beauty who recently paid the cast of Buddy a visit.

Serena Giacomini, who has played the character on tour since August, as well as in a season at The Strand in London in 2001, muses on the experience of having the real Maria sitting in the audience.

"I was terrified," she giggles. "We were celebrating what would have been Buddy Holly's 65th birthday and I was lucky enough to speak to Elena following the show. She was a strong, lively lady."

Serena says she had imagined her character as a feisty young woman with an air of vulnerability and after meeting her character face to face, found her impressions fitted the real thing.

"It was a tremendous honour and was the highlight of my experiences in playing the role."

Serena's love affair with Buddy Holly began when she first saw the musical's debut at Plymouth's Theatre Royal at the age of ten.

"I fell in love with the show immediately," she claims. The performance certainly brings out the child in you and, after gathering more than 20 international awards, it is as fresh and energetic as ever.