Kelly O’Brien – The World’s No One Dolly Parton Tribute
For more than three decades, Kelly O’Brien has dedicated her career to celebrating the music, humour, warmth and extraordinary legacy of Dolly Parton.
Widely recognised as one of the world’s most authentic and accomplished Dolly performers, Kelly is endorsed by the Parton family, who have personally seen her show and given glowing reviews. She has worked with Dolly Parton Enterprises, having been chosen to work as Dolly’s body double for film, and was also the only UK finalist in #SearchForDolly, the worldwide casting search for Dolly’s Broadway musical.
Kelly is far more than a lookalike. With a pitch-perfect Tennessee accent, a soaring soprano voice and an extraordinary attention to detail, she captures the warmth, wit, glamour and unmistakable spirit that made Dolly a global icon. At the heart of every performance is a genuine love and respect for Dolly and the remarkable legacy she created.
An award-winning performer with over three decades on stage, Kelly’s career began in South Australia, where she won national competitions and appeared on New Faces and Popstars. Her big break came starring in Germany’s Starlight Express, launching an international career spanning television, musical theatre and live music.
Today, she tours internationally with The Dolly Show – a dazzling, full-scale theatrical concert celebrating Dolly’s incredible musical journey from the 1960s to the present day.
Featuring a live band and some of the most-loved songs in popular music, including Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands in the Stream, Coat of Many Colours, Here You Come Again, and I Will Always Love You, the show combines powerhouse vocals, laugh-out-loud comedy, rhinestone-studded glamour and heartfelt storytelling.
More than a concert, The Dolly Show is a joyful celebration of Dolly’s life, music and legacy – giving audiences the chance to sing the songs, share the memories and celebrate everything that made her one of the most loved entertainers of all time.
Kelly has been featured on BBC One, ITV’s This Morning, The Last Leg, Lorraine, Channel 5, Sky and in The Times, Daily Mail and Time Out. Her uncanny likeness, vocal ability and sparkling showmanship have won fans and critical acclaim around the world.
From the soft Southern lilt and soaring vocals to the fabulous costumes, comedy and rhinestone sparkle, Kelly brings Dolly’s extraordinary catalogue to the stage with authenticity, affection and heart – ensuring her music and magic continue to be celebrated by audiences around the world.
TOUR
Kelly currently tours the U.K with her theatre show THE DOLLY SHOW to huge audiences around the U.K and Australia.
Her fantastic team travel the country, from Bournemouth to Blackpool. Her tour started in 2021 and rolls out fifty dates a year. See below for ALL DATES!
She also performs Dolly as a solo for private and corporate clients, as well as in cabaret venues and theatres around the world.
Her piano cabaret shows with Viki Calver (her musical director) at the famous Crazy Coqs cabaret in London’s West End are always a sell-out.
DEAR DOLLY
In 2020 leading fashion and art photographer Alice Hawkins and Kelly met via Instagram, sharing a love of Dolly Parton.
Alice told Kelly about a new book she had been working on for the past eight years and asked if Kelly would like to feature in the book? Kelly jumped at the idea.
Kelly was immediately struck by Alice’s incredible talent. She was even more excited to recreate some of Dolly Parton’s most iconic looks with her for the book.
Alice says: “Spending a weekend at Kelly’s home, capturing her exquisite portrayal and impersonation of Dolly Parton is an experience I’ll always cherish. I want to do it again every year, and I’d love to go on tour with her! She also reminds me of Dolly in many ways in her drive and determination, straight talking, attention to detail. Kelly honours Dolly every time she puts her wig and heels on, and I admire her for it.”
Kelly says: “Our partnership is a beautiful example of how creative minds can come together, inspire each other, and create something truly special that resonates with both their own artistic aspirations and the admiration they have for the subject of their work.”
And in 2023 Alice’s book ‘Dear Dolly’ was published to critical acclaim.
‘Dear Dolly’ is available here –
https://www.baronbooks.co.uk/product-page/alice-hawkins-dear-dolly
