Summer Holiday, the Musical, is a stage adaptation of the Classic 1963 British movie starring Cliff Richard. The original movie soundtrack spawned numerous hits, including 4 number one singles for Cliff Richard and the Shadows. This production has been specially adapted for Sheffield by Michael Gyngell and Mark Haddigan.
The scene was set as we approached the Crucible, with a beach and deck chairs set up outside the entrance doors, complementing the current heatwave and it was the perfect setting to begin a summer holiday extravaganza. Despite the local adaptations and the journey embarking from the Steel City, this production is true to its swinging sixties rock and roll origins and doesn’t deviate from the feel of the movie. It is the tale of a group of friends going on a summer adventure through Europe in an adapted double-decker bus. It is a feel-good story of friendship, love and the carefree nature of youth.
Amanda Stoodley demonstrates her skills as a ward-winning set and costume designer. The visual stage adaptation works well with props, including a Union Jack-topped Mini Cooper, which appears from beneath the stage. But most of the props are simple whilst effective, wheeled on when necessary, often as visual indications of location, i.e., the Eiffel Tower. A small remote control bus whizzing around the stage adds whimsy as it meanders along on its European tour. The Stage transitions are smooth and integrated into the show, often disguised by musical interludes with a nod to Cliff Richard's friends, the Shadows.
Richard Reday and Lesley Hutchinson produce the musical and movement direction, respectively, with over a dozen musical scores on each side of the interval. The duo responsible for directing the music was on display on the top of the largest part of the stage set. The cast and ensemble are also involved in playing instruments. The musical, dance and vocal performances are superb, with the tempo remaining throughout. There’s plenty of foot tapping, hand clapping and dancing to be had during the course of the 2-hour-plus performance (including interval).
Songbirds George Jones (Don) and Fanta Barrie (Barbara) are excellent in the lead roles. Damien Humbley (Jerry) and Jane McCarry (Stella) are equally good in their roles, adding comic relief to the proceedings. They are backed up by the rest of the cast and ensemble, creating the summertime carefree vibe essential to recreating the movie. It is unfair to pick out any of the wider cast and ensemble, as they are all equally effective in bringing their characters to life.
The Crucible theatre’s wrap-around seating is ideal for crowd participation and this was exploited by the cast during the performance as they danced in the aisles and took selfies with members of the audience in front of the landscape props.
Summer Holiday, the musical, is an immersive homage to the original movie, full of catchy 1960’s rock and roll songs and well-choreographed dancing. It is an exceptionally enjoyable piece of musical theatre, full of nostalgia and a must-see slice of summer theatrics. I loved it.
Production run (The Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield): Saturday 20th June –Saturday 18th July 2026.
Running Time: around 2 hours 15 minutes, including an interval.
https://www.sheffieldtheatres.co.uk/events/summer-holiday-2026/dates
Reviewer: Matthew Burgin
On: 25th June 2026
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