Hi-de-Hi

A trip to the famous Maplins Holiday Camp was on the cards for Jigsaw’s latest production, an adaptation of the classic TV comedy Hi-de-Hi.  The Players set the scene for the show from the start, as we were welcomed into the Hawaiian Ballroom at Crimpton on Sea holiday camp, with the audience seated round tables, cabaret-style.  There were plenty of yellow-coated assistants on hand, which really helped to set the atmosphere for the show to come. 

We started in traditional Jigsaw style with a foot-tapping medley of songs appropriate to the late 1950s period in which the show is set, sung by the whole cast.  This worked really well in the context of a holiday camp cabaret, and was repeated at intervals throughout the show.  This approach is pretty much unique to Jigsaw, in my experience, and provides a great way to involve members of the cast who were not in named roles, and everyone really gave their all and clearly enjoyed themselves! 

Into the story proper, and we met all of those characters who are so familiar from the famous TV show.  First up was Gladys Pugh making her iconic camp announcement, played with great assurance and a very good Welsh accent by Hannah Price.  It wasn’t long before she was flirting very amusingly with Entertainments Manager Jeffrey Fairbrother (Glyn Diggett, effectively chanelling Simon Cadell’s awkward charm).  When Jeffrey got drunk and had to be taken back to his chalet by Gladys, it wasn’t long before tongues started wagging!

It was soon revealed that a new camp is being opened up in the Bahamas, with the winner of the annual Miss Yellowcoat competition set to join the team there along with, possibly, Jeffrey himself.  Gladys, of course, was therefore determined to win, bringing her rivalry with the glamourous Sylvia (a sparkly Naomi Waldron) to a head.  This might also open up an opportunity for Peggy Ollerenshaw, played with infectious comic energy by Libby Barrett, to fulfil her dreams of becoming a Yellowcoat.  Needless to say, things weren’t quite that straightforward…

Meanwhile, Camp Host Ted Bovis (a forceful performance from Steve Levett) needed to find money to meet the demands of his ex-wife Hilary (a marvellously grumpy Emily Davis), roping his ceaselessly jolly sidekick Spike Dixon (a smiley Tracy Hart) into all manner of money making schemes and scams.  Elsewhere, Mr Partridge, played in suitably crotchety style by Keelan Pavitt, the children’s entertainer with a paradoxical dislike of kids, was threatened with the sack for his latest misdemeanour; and haughty ballroom dancers Yvonne and Barry Stuart-Hargreaves (Laura Hodgkin and Harrison Daley) attempted to work around the camp rules in decorating their chalet. 

Completing the principal cast were Jennie Whipp, nicely doleful as the riding instructor Fred Quilley; Daniel Webber, suitably wide-eyed as Gladys’ awkward admirer Mr Pritchard; David Grange as a Bailiff in search of Ted; and a clutch of Yellowcoats – Natalie Kemp, Danny Kemp, Riley Winter and Reuben Hodgkin, all of whom brought plenty of energy and fun to their roles.  They were supported by a committed ensemble during the song breaks, enlivening such scenes as the ‘Egyptian Night’, marvellous fun with appropriate song choices and plenty of sand dancing!  Madison Copson provided some charming choreography throughout, with music provided by an excellent three-piece live band – Chris Corcoran and the Debonaires (great name!)

The action took place before a good, split location set, nicely constructed, showing Fairbrother’s office/chalet and the camp tea room.  This generally worked well, although there were some issues with sightlines from my vantage point, with the speakers obscuring part of the stage right office space.  Costume was well handled, in particular the Yellowcoat outfits which looked very authentic, and a range of comedy outfits sported by the ever-willing Spike. 

The second half was dominated by the Miss Yellowcoat competition, with the audience getting involved in the voting process (although they were counted suspiciously quickly!)  But Sylvia’s victory – and Peggy’s time as a Yellowcoat – were brought to a sadly rapid end as news filtered through over the radio that a storm in the Bahamas had wrecked the camp location.  With the other plot strands resolved positively, it was left to Ted to lead us in a rendition of the Hi-de-Hi theme tune, as we happily Ho-de-Ho’d our way into the night.  Well done, Jigsaw Players, and I look forward to seeing you all again soon! 

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