Dolly Parton back on stage despite homophobic abuse

Here You Come Again is a jukebox musical showcasing the beloved music of Dolly Parton.

The story features a diehard fan, Kevin, whose Dolly fantasy gets him through trying times.

A production of the musical is currently on tour in the UK but recent performances in Manchester have been dogged by homophobic abuse from audience members.

According to media reports, the abuse was directed towards Steven Webb - the cast-member who portrays Kevin. In the story, Kevin is a gay man.

As a result of the abuse, the cast had to leave the stage and suspend the performance. Media reports suggest that this was not an isolated incident and that it is something that the production has been grappling with during the tour.

It's not clear if the homophobic audience members were deliberately targeting the production because it featured a gay character, or were unaware that the storyline centred a gay character and then became abusive.

Regardless, the cast have returned to the stage and the UK tour continues.

Responding to homophobia with poetry

James Gaynor penned the following poem in response to the news of homophobic abuse directed towards performers in Here You Come Again.

And We Will Always Love You, Dolly Parton

Making poetry out of pain and singing your story to the Tennessee moon is what country music is all about

and it doesn’t matter what state you live in or what gender you’re currently inhabiting

someone is always breaking your heart

or you’ve parked the pickup on the dog even if you never owned either

and you’re standing on the edge of a bridge 

or the overdue bill tells you about the affair

and he’s over there slow-dancing with someone else

who knows who’s going home with who

or you just woke up in the Motel of Broken Dreams

because you’re weak and they were willing

not for the first time not for the last

so cue the band it’s time for some music

and when Dolly sings it’s real

so listen up!