REVIEW: KD’s Great British Seaside Special 2018

My one day of the year in this glorious summer in Sunny Hunny, and it’s raining. But I don’t care because I’m off to the Princess Theatre to see KD Theatre productions Great British Seaside Special.

I know it is going to be a bright and entertaining afternoon. And so it proves to be.

Rollo comperes the show in his cheeky chappie style delighting the audience with two set piece routines – a tribute to Elvis that goes down well (yes, you have to see it) and the human ventriloquist’s dummy that never fails to amuse.

Guest singer Rachel Rawlinson is a real star turn equally at home with a nostalgic charming of the Blue birds over the White Cliffs of Dover as she is with a show tune.

There is a young speciality act in the juggler Tommy J who belies his fifteen years with a confident display.

The Rollason stage school youngsters impress with their slick routines, but the real stars of the show are the ensemble.

Lucy Rollason, Sam Woods, Clarissa Payne, Philip Evans, Lucy Bell and Joshua Haydn Harding, smile, sing and dance their way through some cleverly choreographed routines by Katherine Hickmott.

They all seize their moments especially in a ‘War Time & London Medley’ with the girls with their close harmony singing, Sam Woods charming everyone while ‘Leaning on a Lamppost’ and then balletically leaping around the stage.

Philip Evans looking every bit the leading man with the Lambeth Walk and then later finishing the first half with Any Dream Will Do.

These are all young performers and it is great that there are still some traditional shows like this that give them a chance to showcase what they can do, and it seems to me that they can do everything!

Daniel Bell and Katherine Hickmott have devised a slick, fast moving show, making the most of simple staging, lighting and effects with some lovely costumes.

Budgets are tight, such traditional seaside shows like this have almost disappeared, but it is essential for young performers that they have the chance to learn the business and launch their careers.

There are two more Thursdays in August at the Princess Theatre but if you can’t get to Hunstanton there are two special shows at Ely Maltings on Sunday August 19 and Friday August 24, so give them your support, they’ll entertain and impress you.