THE Deanery Players started their second half century with a fantastic production of Summer Holiday. The musical was adapted from the Cliff Richard film and included most of his hits. With a young cast there was plenty of energy in the performances especially of the four male and four female lead singers.

The scenery was impressive, a representation of a London bus being created on stage on several occasions.

Never having seen the film, I cannot compare it, but I thoroughly enjoyed this performance.

The musical opened with cast members walking across the stage with umbrellas and raincoats all hurrying, heads down, about their business and then switched to a dingy café interior where four cash-strapped young lads were looking forward to getting away to the sunshine. When, despite working overtime, they found they hadn't enough to get to the south of France, they, as bus mechanics, hit on the idea of renovating an old bus.

Rob Hastings, who played the part of Steve, with his thin legs tightly encased in drainpipe jeans and ambition to 'pull a bird,' was excellent. Then there was studious looking Edwin with glasses played by Stuart Hutchinson, another member of the gang Cyril (Jonathan Sherwood) and leader Don, played by Graham Parry. The characterisations of all the characters were very varied and believable.

In Paris they meet a three-girl singing group, who sang some close harmony songs during the performance. I loved the bouffant hair styles and dresses. Angie, Mimsie and Alma (Holly Taylor, Abi Nelson and Cathryn Horne), were trying to get to Greece for a gig, but their mini-car had died. The lads' offer of the bus's top floor was accepted and their adventures began.

The sub-plot was the escape of teenager Barbara (Kathryn Howe) whose life was made a misery by her mother, a harridan of an impresario Stella (Sam Prince). She escaped disguised as a boy by stowing away in the bus. There were some very funny moments as initially she hid her gender from everyone.

Another hilarious moment was when Stella's factotum (David Crosthwaite) as the hen-pecked Jerry, was disguised as Heidi.

The model buses of different sizes 'driving' across the stage getting smaller and higher as they traversed the Alps was a brilliant touch.

The Deanery Players deserve full credit for an excellent show. Welcome escapism in dreary February.

Vonni Wilkins