Summer Holiday

The musical Summer Holiday is based on the iconic 1960’s film starring Cliff Richards and The Shadows and was adapted by Michael Gyngell. It tells the story of Don and his co-London Transport mechanics who convert a London bus into a holiday caravan aiming to drive across Europe, initially to the South of France. If they make it they hope they might be able to charge people to do the trip the following year and run it as a business. While on the road in France they pick up three ladies whose car has broken down and offer to take them to their next singing job - in Athens! They also find a stowaway on board, a young American ‘boy’ on the run from ‘his’ domineering mother. 

The show, being about a summer holiday on a bus, means that realistically you need a ‘bus’ and as the stage at the Guildhall is rather small I did wonder how they were going to achieve this. Well, no worries, the front facade of a double decker bus, the full height of the stage, along with headlights, stickers etc. appeared in all its glory and received rapturous applause from the audience and from myself - it was stupendous. We first meet Don and his fellow workers on a rainy day outside a cafe where Don is persuading them to join him on his new venture. Don was wonderfully played by Martin Counter he really was the happy chappie as the only time a smile left his face was when he movingly sang ‘The Next Time’. Loved the ukulele playing. Terrific support both in acting, singing and dancing came from Gary Heap as Edwin, Josh Robinson as Steve and Ollie Hand as Cyril. They made a great quartet. There was a nice chemistry between Don and Barbara who was delightfully played by Claire Jarman and their singing of ‘The Young Ones’ was super. The singing trio made up of Kat Adey as Alma, Ellie Mallinson as Mimsie and Cat Howourth as Angie were fabulous. Their harmonious singing and dance movements were just perfect. Yvonne Taylor was outstanding as Stella, the over bearing, ambitious mother of Barbara. She has tremendous stage presence and confidence and together with Barbara’s agent Jerry, a fine performance from Paul Brenham-Foster, their various ploys, antics and disguises were hilarious. The inimitable Brian Counter popped up everywhere. He was Wilf, a cafe owner in the different locations, a french onion seller, a Swiss something or other, an ice cream seller and even a solicitor and on each occasion managed to squeeze out ever ounce of comedy from the differing situations - but how he managed to see in those ‘glasses‘ well............  

The Ensemble, again playing many different characters, gave essential and splendid support to the main characters. I must just mention Michael Brenham-Foster as the Father of the Bride his drunken capers were so funny. The singing and stylistic accompanying dancing of the over twenty musical numbers by both the principals and the ensemble was so upbeat and delivered with such enthusiasm and energy. Everyone on stage gave it their all and together with the super set, props, colourful costumes, sound and effective lighting and of course a very lively band all added to make this a very happy, foot tapping and entertaining show. Congratulations must go to Barbara Ashmore, especially as it’s her first time as a Director of a musical, to Dave Adey, Musical Director, Pauline Reader, Choreographer, Spondon Scenery Solutions and to everyone involved. Although it’s not ‘Seven Days to My Holiday’ after this wonderful escape from reality, I can’t wait!

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