Summer Holiday is one of the most joyful, uplifting and energetic nights I have spent at the Crucible. The landmark 1960s film musical was adapted for the stage in the 1990s and is now brought to the Crucible by co-directors Elizabeth Newman and Ben Occhipinti. It is a delight from its singalong opening to its rousing finale, which had the audience on its feet singing and dancing.
Of course, all the familiar hits are here: ‘Summer Holiday’, ‘The Young Ones’, ‘Bachelor Boy’ and ‘In the Country’. A bonus is the chance to discover, or rediscover, some of the lesser-known 1960s songs, which add another level of fun.
Whether you are a lifelong fan of the film, remember the 1990s revival or are coming to Summer Holiday completely fresh, it makes no difference. Within the first few minutes, the enthusiasm and talent of the young cast will sweep you away and transport you with them on a South Yorkshire double-decker bus as it winds its way through France en route to Athens.
For those familiar with the film, Don, the bus garage mechanic, now works in Sheffield. He and his friends take their bus across Europe, where they meet a stranded singing group, Do Re Me, and take them to Athens. Along the way they pick up runaway singer Bobby who, of course, turns out to be Barbara.
The plot is almost beside the point. It simply provides an excuse for a group of young people to experience life away from home. For teenage audiences in the 1960s, that sense of freedom must have felt revolutionary. Today the story still captures the timeless thrill of falling in love while travelling abroad. It also reminds us of the joy of escaping somewhere warm for the summer, although that might seem less of a distant dream given the sweltering evening on which I saw it.
What sets this show apart from most musicals is its unusual approach to the music. Rather than relying on an off-stage band, the actors themselves are the musicians. This brings a sense of immediacy and intimacy, making the whole performance feel alive and authentic. It would be hard to choose a stand-out performance from among them, and unfair really, because they work so seamlessly together as an ensemble. That said, two performances deserve a special mention. Alongside the younger characters are two ‘grown-ups’, Stella and Jerry, who chase the bus around Europe to ‘rescue’ their daughter from this band of wandering musicians. They are played with perfect comic timing by Jane McCarry and Damian Humbley.
Summer Holiday at the Crucible skilfully updates Peter Yates’ 1963 film while keeping enough of its original early 1960s, pre-Beatles energy to stay true to its roots. It captures the optimism of a generation taking charge of its life in ways its parents never could, wrapped up in a show that still feels fresh and fun.
