"Summer Holiday” by Good Companions Stage Society
Guildhall Theatre, Derby.

Four London Bus mechanics, Don, Cyril, Edwin and Steve strike up a deal with London Transport. They do up a double decker London Bus, drive it around Europe as a hotel to win a contract. While on the road in France they pick up three ladies, Mimsie, Alma and Angie, on their way to a gig as the trio Do Re Mi, whose car breaks down. So the lads agree to offer to take them to their next singing job in Athens.

They also pick up a stowaway. A young, American boy called Bobby. Meanwhile, a young American female singer, Barbara has gone missing. Her mother, Stella (who is a VERY ambitious woman) and her aide, Jerry, take the story to the press and it makes the front page. They do all they can to make the story run for as long as possible.

Well we all know that Bobby is really Barbara because of the classic film which transposed into a very successful stage musical.

Mayhem ensues as, Don falls for Barbara. Eventually, when the 8 bus riders reach Athens, they're arrested for kidnapping. In front of her mother, and a Ballroom filled with world-press, Barbara and Don declare their love for each other and the mother accepts (after realising how 'big' Don will become).

I’m a sucker for a happy ending and I love this musical and it’s wonderful soundtrack, “Bachelor Boy”, “Dancing Shoes”, “I Could Easily Fall In Love With You”, “The Last Time”, ”On the Beach”, "The Young Ones" and “Summer Holiday” are just a few of the classic Cliff Richard hits in this musical. They just put you in the mood for popping off to the seaside on a double decker.

Martin Counter (Don), Gary Heap (Edwin), Josh Robinson (Steve) and Ollie Hand (Cyril) are great dun to watch as the four mechanics.

Ellie Mallinson (Mimsie),Kat Adey (Alma), Cat Howourth (Angie) and Claire Jarman (Barbara) are the four lead females. their sense of fun is great to see, matching the lads fir the energy that they put in to their singing and choreography.

Paul Brenham-Foster (Jerry) and Yvonne Taylor (Stella) are also great fun to watch and I loved how over the top Stella was and the mild campness of Jerry.

Brian Counter played Wilf the cafe owner, as well as owner of every other cafe and gelatin seller on the continent.

Directed by Barbara Ashmore, this is her first musical that she has directed but didn't she do well? Nice and tight with some smooth scene changes carried out by a slick stage crew.

Pauline Reader choreographed the piece and made sure that there were loads of energy in the show with a varied selection of dance moves typical of the era.

Loved the bus, which looked like a proper bus as well

Musical Director was Dave Adey with Jeff Widdowson on bass, Tim Wright on guitar, Ben Ward playing a mean sax and Andy Shelton on drums.

Great energy, some lovely voices and a passion for what they do shining through, and what a colourful and fun way to start your weekend off with.

“Summer Holiday” is at The Guildhall theatre in Derby only until Saturday 14 April 2018.