Summer Holiday

The stage adaptation of the 1963 film by Michael Gyngell and Mark Haddigan proved a nostalgic and energetic evening’s entertainment by this youthful company. Filled with familiar music from this fantastic era, the Company rose to the challenge and came out top of the class. The musical trip through France, Switzerland, Italy and to Greece in the big red bus was a triumph –although one or two technical problems in the first scene, this did not detract from the performances themselves. The big red bus, cleverly constructed, had the wow factor, dominating the stage.

Ashley McAllister in the demanding role of Don led the company in many musical numbers including 7 Days to the Holiday, We Say Yeah, Do You Wanna Dance as well as his own Bachelor Boy and duet with Barbara, the runaway pop star, ably played by Sian Ellis-Williams. Nice touch by Don with the guitar leading into On the Beach. Good support from ‘The Boys’ – James Pagett, Ieuan Griffiths, and Jack Wooster as Steve, Cyril and Edwin, respectively. The trio of girls - Mimsie – Natalie Baker, Angie – Olivia Gordon and Alma – Ami Evans blended well together in all musical numbers, and both girls and boys let their hair down in well choreographed chorus numbers. Jane Criningan excelled as Stella, Barbara’s pushy,overbearing and domineering mother, who justly received audience appreciation, whilst Ron Jones received plenty of laughs as Barbara’s long suffering agent. The chorus coped with energetic choreography throughout adding that feel good factor to a great production.

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