Based on the 1963 Cliff Richard hit movie, the famous London double decker bus rolled into the King’s Theatre with the musical adaptation of the light-hearted feel good 60s film Summer Holiday. This up-beat musical stars former soap star, X factor runner up and Dancing on Ice champion Ray Quinn as Don, a London Transport mechanic with high hopes of a summer adventure with his friends, travelling across Europe in their newly acquired and kitted out London double decker bus.
Along the way they meet a group of girl wannabe pop singers who they help to reach their make or break gig in Athens. They also come across a secret stowaway on board in the form of a young American singing sensation who is desperate to escape the clutches of her overbearing mother and embark on an adventure of her own.
The story follows the characters as they travel across Europe finding both love and adventure. It is a simple story characterized by classic hits that helped to make the film a success in 1963 such as Bachelor Boy, A Swinging Affair and of course the well- loved theme tune Summer Holiday. The staging is also kept quite simple – dominated by a huge double decker bus which almost becomes a character in itself! However despite this impressive feature, the rest of the staging was fairly lacklustre. Much more could have been achieved in order to carry the audience alongside the cast on their European adventure instead of blank backdrops. The only indication of arriving in a different country was the noticeable accent change in the characters on stage.
The dance routines are mesmerising and energetic with slick choreography full of jazz hands, flicked ankles, jives and impressive lifts which worked well with the upbeat tracks. Quinn is well cast as the handsome and charismatic Don with his natural boyish charm and delivers a swing style vocal performance reminiscent of a young Cliff Richard.
Sophie Matthews delivers a beautiful performance as Barbara – however as a duo, the chemistry between Matthews and Quinn is lacking, which perhaps hinders some of the more romantic points in the plot.
The script is perhaps overly simplistic and at times some of the jokes seemed quite dated in comparison to some of the edgier and more modern musicals. But the production will continue to find audience, thanks to a likeable performance from the cast who are bursting with 60s nostalgia and feel-good cheer.
However like most summer holidays – it’s impact and resonance will begin to fade as you leave the theatre.