REVIEW: SUMMER SPECTACULAR

REGENT CENTRE, CHRISTCHURCH

Like the annual Christmas Spectacular, this hugely enjoyable summer show is a joint production between the Regent Centre and Glad Rag Production Company...and it’s equally impressive.

Suitable for the whole family, this is a clever mix of superb dancing, secure acting, hooky musical numbers, and compelling storytelling.

Written and directed by Helen Barrington, the narrative is set in the fictional Sunny Hills Holiday Park where the Yellow Coats entertainment staff struggle to get through what threatens to be their final summer season.

Particularly outstanding are the colourful costumes, designed and created by West End costumier Sue Simmerling, and the crisp neat and precise choreography by dazzling dancer Carly Simmerling.

All the characters are convincing, especially the ditzy and deluded Dotty, beautifully played by Kim Holder. Dotty is working her first summer season as a Yellow Coat, having previously been a love-sick punter.

Her powerful bittersweet duet Bobby, The Latte Boy contains the delicious lyrics “Dotty, the stalker chick” and “restraining order”.

Exploding with colour and energy, Surf Medley is a dynamic blend of the Beach Boys’ Surfin’ Safari, Jan and Dean’s Surf City, and Brian Hyland’s Itsy-bitsy, Teeny-weeny, Yellow Polka-dot Bikini.

Also riveting are the slick Buck’s Fizz number Making Your Mind Up, the amusingly atmospheric Aerobics complete with 80s leotards, and the endearing Thank Heaven For Little Girls featuring the delightful younger members of the company.

This heart-warming production runs until Saturday, matinees every afternoon.

Brendan McCusker