Sunshine On A Sheffield Stage

The deckchairs were out on the beach in Tudor Square, the buckets and spades ready in the sand, the sun shone brightly and the sky was blue – close your eyes and you could imagine that you were on your summer holidays, both inside the theatre and beyond.

Adapted for stage by Michael Gyngell and Marrk Haddigan, Summer Holiday The Musical is loosely based on the film of 1963 which starred the seemingly forever young Cliff Richard. It is a joyous and uplifting show made all the more so by the enthusiastic and multi- talented cast who between them can sing, dance and play a variety of instruments, not to mention mastering the art of perfect comic timing, especially by Jane McCarry (Stella) and Damian Hunbley (Jerry) who had the audience laughing out loud. The staging and execution of the musical numbers is second to none.

The show is very interactive and the audience couldn’t help but participate receiving encouragement from the cast throughout– some audience members were given a camera to ‘take’ a holiday snap of cast members at the Eiffel Tower or skiing in the Alps as the group meandered their way across Europe to Greece.

The show’s pace never slows with the various vocal numbers being linked by impressive instrumental sections lead by guitarists Jim Duah (Edwin), Robin Harris (Steve) and Trudy Ward (Mimsie). The music carries the show as the story line is very weak but that somehow that doesn’t detract from the enjoyment of the show if tonight’s audience were anything to go by. Constant references to the group’s mode of transport being a South Yorkshire Transport Bus kept the show topical and was greatly appreciated by the audience.

Technically, as you would expect from the Crucible the show was slick, especially when the broken down car, a mini, appeared up through the stage emitting smoke. However, there was an unplanned mishap with a goat on a boat which was hilarious and will probably be a one off! You just had to be there, I’m afraid.

The central character of Don (George Jones) the popular and charismatic bus mechanic carries his role with confidence as do his work colleagues, Edwin (Jim Duah), Steve (Robin Harris),and Cyril (Elliot Mackenzie) whilst the trio ‘Do- Re-Mi’ of Mimsie (Trudy Ward), Al (Matthew James Hinchliffe), and Nia Raza Hamilton (Angie) carried their parts well. Fanta Barrie as Barbara provided the love interest with Don whilst Stella (Jane McCarry) was brilliant as the domineering mother complete with her side kick Jerry.

A mention must be made of the ensemble of Ava Duncan and Isaac Savage as they were the musical glue that helped hold everything together. Live music is always good to hear but it does hold its own set of challenges, all of which were readily overcome throughout this performance.

If you fancy an evening of uplifting and feel good entertainment, this is definitely the show for you.

Sheffield Crucible Theatre until 18th July