Summer Holiday

I was welcomed at Front of House and had the opportunity to talk with the Director, Chris Bareham, during the interval. The cast ranged in age from 10 years to 26 years with the great majority of cast members under 21 years. It was noted that everyone interested in taking part had been included.

Act One opened in a dingy London cafe where the plan was hatched to convert a London bus to take to France on holiday. The next scene moved onto the bus starting it’s travels with the four friends on board. Edward Wayland played the principal role as Dan, with Lochlan Alcorn-Reilly as Edwin, Korben Symmonds as Steve and James Hooker as Cyril. While travelling the lads stop to help three young ladies whose car had broken down and eventually the lads offer to take the girls to Athens. Olivia Wilkinson played Mimsie, with Gabrielle Tyler as Angie and Jade Kennedy as Alma.The group also pick up a stowaway, a young American boy who is revealed to be a young female singer, Barbara, who has run away to escape from her mother. Barbara was played by Courtney Cooper-Gleave.. The principal cast was completed by Jerry, played by John Hogan and Stella, played by Anna Jackson. There was a large group,(18) of other cast members, with equal billing in the programme, who all played various minor roles and contributed much to the performance.

The four lads, led by Don, really performed well as a group and there were some great musical numbers by them eg In The Country, Summer Holiday. Don had an easy acting style and lovely, expressive voice for his solo parts whilst Edwin was the more serious character, slightly reluctant to join in the adventure sometimes. I enjoyed his singing in “Move It “. Steve was “over the top”, exuberant and excited and took this part well. Whilst he certainly had a good voice with plenty of power eg I Could Easily Fall In Love With You, sometimes his singing suffered and he needed to project his voice more. Cyril was the comedy character and took to this part well. He had some marvellous expressions and really looked the part.

The girls were bright and sparkled in their roles. Their songs were well balanced eg Gee Whizz It’s You, and they all had some solo parts which were well delivered. Mimsie needed to project her voice more in the first act but she addressed this in the second act. There were some great songs featuring the lads and the girls together.

Barbara falls in love with Don and played her role with great enthusiasm and skill. Her solo, Constantly, accompanied by chorus singers, was quite powerful. Of course, the love duet The Next Time, between Don and Barbara, was tender and sweet and showcased their good voices.

Stella was a neurotic, over powering mother and this came over well. She was well cast against Jerry, ably portrayed as a hapless and hopeless partner and these two continually reacted to each other.

A lively full company finale impressed, with Do you Wanna Dance and On The Beach performed with great energy by everyone. A fitting finish to a fast moving performance.

The band, led by Nik Graham, Musical Director was well balanced and versatile. I was pleased to see that they had a few brief instrumental spots, to enable scene changes to take place.

The set had been hired in and was enhanced by props.

Choreography ( Natalie Stock ,Gabrielle Tyler, Chris Bareham, Ellie Ellis) was not complicated and allowed all to do their best with the main dancers well coordinated.

Stage Manager, Kevin Guymer, assisted by Dee Holloway, Joshua Wordingham and Tony Meloy changed the scenes effortlessly and lighting, spots and sound all aided the production. Sound effects eg trying to start the car were effective. Costumes(Chris Bareham, assisted by Rosie Meloy) were of the period and colourful. I have to mention the bus, which ranged from big to tiny in different scenes – not to forget the boat also !

Director, Chris Bareham, should rightly be very proud of the achievements of this mostly young group with some potential talent showing through.

Well done everyone involved. I enjoyed the evening very much as did the lively audience.

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