Disclaimer: We received free tickets to the show for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Thirty years ago, we were in the audience when Summer Holiday first hit the stage in Blackpool. Last night, we returned to see a fresh new take on the classic Cliff Richard film, this time adapted for the stage by Michael Gyngell and Mark Haddingan.
Based on the 1963 film starring Cliff Richard, Summer Holiday follows a group of bus mechanics who are looking forward to a well earned summer break. With limited funds and no transport, they come up with a plan – convert an old Blackpool double-decker bus into a mobile home and head off to the Continent.
Naturally, things don’t quite go to plan. Along the way they come across a broken-down car carrying Do-Re-Mi, a band desperate to get to a singing competition in Athens. The lads decide to change their route and take them there, picking up a stowaway called Bobby along the way. There’s just one small problem: Bobby is actually a girl, running away from her rather overbearing mother. And, as anyone who has ever watched a musical will know, adding romance, a band and a secret identity to a road trip is never going to make for a quiet journey.
So onto the music and quite frankly, there’s enough 1960s nostalgia here to make anyone who remembers the decade feel 17 again. There are plenty of songs from the original film, including The Young Ones, Living Doll, Bachelor Boy and of course the title song Summer Holiday. Rather than having an orchestra tucked away in a pit, the cast themselves provide much of the music. Almost everyone plays an instrument and, remarkably, they manage to act, sing and dance while doing so and it works brilliantly. The live music adds to the energy of the production and fits perfectly with the whole idea of carefree, hip 1960s teenagers setting off on the adventure of a lifetime.
Picking a favourite performance isn’t easy, but Jane McCarry as Stella, the fame-obsessed mother of stowaway Barbara, is a particular highlight. She is perfectly cast and forms a brilliant comedy double act with Greg Last as Jerry, the spectacularly useless agent. Together, they are comedy gold and every appearance feels like someone has quietly turned the dial marked ‘ridiculous’ up another notch. They’re the sort of characters you could happily watch getting themselves into trouble for considerably longer than the plot requires.
Amanda Stoodley’s set is relatively simple, with a psychedelic 60s-inspired backdrop providing the setting. Considering the entire story revolves around a double-decker bus travelling across Europe, I did find myself expecting something a little grander than a few bus seats and a generous invitation to use my imagination. But this is theatre and by the time the miniature buses appear on stage, you can’t help but smile and go along for the ride.
This is a fantastic show, full of fun, laughter and plenty of 60s nostalgia. And looking around the theatre last night, as practically everyone was up dancing to the final Do You Wanna Dance, it was clear we weren’t the only ones having a brilliant time. When a show gets an entire audience on its feet and dancing in the aisles, you know it has done exactly what a great summer holiday should do: put a huge smile on everyone’s face.
Summer Holiday is at The Grand Theatre until Saturday 8th August with tickets starting at £18. For more information or to book tickets visit their website here
Photo credits Blackpool Grand
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