Musical theatre – The Review Studio

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 8^th August with tickets starting at £18. For more information or to book tickets visit their website here

Photo credits Blackpool Grand

Disclaimer: We received free tickets to the show for the purpose of this review but all thoughta and opinions are our own.

Blackpool Grand Theatre rolled out the pink carpet last night for its vibrant new production of Grease the Musical, presented in collaboration with Pitlochry Festival Theatre. From the moment the curtain rose, the audience was whisked away into the colourful world of 1950s American high school life, filled with teenage drama, romance, and rock ‘n’ roll energy.

As a lifelong fan of Grease, I arrived with high expectations and the brilliant cast exceeded them at every turn. What made this production really stand out was that the performers didn’t just sing and dance; many also played their own instruments live on stage. Rather than relying on a separate orchestra, the cast doubled as the band, seamlessly integrating guitars, saxophones, drums, and keyboards into the action. This added a raw, electric energy to the performance and gave the musical a fresh, live-concert feel.

Alexander Service delivered the perfect blend of swagger and vulnerability as Danny, effortlessly capturing the essence of the iconic character. His on-stage chemistry with Blythe Jandoo who played Sandy, was unmistakable, especially during their heartfelt duets, my favourite of which was their last song “You’re the One That I Want.”

The choreography by Kally Lloyd Jones was also a highlight, from energetic hand jives to slick twists and turns, the cast nailed every move with infectious enthusiasm.

The staging was dynamic and clever, making full use of the Grand Theatre’s space with smooth transitions between Rydell High, Marty’s bedroom, and the burger bar. While the film’s famous car race scene was understandably omitted, Greased Lightning made a couple of thrilling appearances, including being impressively driven off stage to the audience’s delight.

As the show built to its joyous finale, the themes of change, acceptance, and young love came into sharp focus. Danny’s transformation into a letterman and Sandy’s bold new look sparked cheers, culminating in a high-energy rendition of “You’re the One That I Want.”

It was impossible to single out a favourite performer, each cast member brought something unique, and together they created a night of nostalgic, foot-tapping, feel-good theatre. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or new to the story, this is a must-see show.