The classic sitcom is back! And on a local stage too – how great! A show full of laughs and non-stop nostalgia.
Theatre Arts of Dukinfield and Ashton is still a relatively new society, almost one year old, and having done their first musical in ‘9to5’ in October (Which was fantastic) a good solid comedy is a great follow-up.
‘Hi-De-Hi’ holds so many memories for so many people. That isn’t always a good thing as it can weigh on a cast to be ‘too much’ like the original cast. But this doesn’t seem to be an issue with director, John Dewsnap – as the play seems to have been conducted as a fresh version of the old classic.
The stage setup is very simple, but that is all this show needs. Nothing to distract away from what the people will come to see which is, of course, the Yellow Coats. There isn’t a great deal of space on this stage, but it is clear John Dewsnap has not allowed the space to dictate this action in this very well-put-together piece.
Now. The Yellow coats. What a great team – it isn’t easy to perform well-known roles without being compared to those who walked before. This group of performers work as a great team, and it’s evident they all love the parts they play.
This is a sizeable cast so to comment on everyone would make this review more of a short story but I can summarise the work these players are doing to the best of my ability. Michelle Cooke, playing Gladys, brings the character to life and has a fantastic accent to match. Scott Lees, a wonderful and experienced performer, steals the stage every time he treads the boards. A great characterisation that is not to be missed.
He is also well supported by Katy Cullen, who plays Scott’s counterpart and the two have a great back-and-forth throughout the show. There is a great rapport between Spike and Ted (Andy Cochrane and Terry Bayham) which gives a great energy – and Julia Powell, Miss Peggy Ollerenshaw brings all the correct cheesiness to this role as the ‘desperate to be liked, wannabe yellow coat’ with quirky little musical numbers are set to give punters a good giggle. Paul Whitworth – plays ‘Mr.Punch and Judy man’ with a fantastic grumpiness which suits the part well.
The remainder of the yellow coats (Kerry Buckley, Emily Barlow, Sam Borowiak, Andrea Parkin, Sarah Smith and Elizabeth Kerr) do a superb job of rounding out the well-remembered band of entertainers, with everyone of them embodying that energy – which is cultivated in what can only be described as a panto-esque sing along which I’m sure audiences will absolutely lap up.
Hat tips go to the non Yellowcoats also, Alison Wright (Hilary Bovis) and David Morris (the camp owner) also provide very sound performances.
The play is ridiculous… Just ridiculous, like Maplins was all those years ago! A real mimic of the classic that was loved by so many! As I said, it’s a bold move to revive a classic and if you do it needs to be right and I’m absolutely certain crowds will fall in love with the nostalgia of ‘Hi-De-Hi’ once more once more. A barrel of fun for all to enjoy shall we say!
‘Hi-De-Hi’ is on stage from Thursday 13th to Saturday 15th of March and tickets are selling fast, so make sure you don’t miss out on this great revival of you Maplins holiday camp favorites! Tickets can be purchased from ticket source at:
https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/theatre-arts-of-dukinfield-and-ashton/hi-di-hi/e-rrrlbl?fbclid=IwY2xjawIqpe1leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHdaOfOCDQS7owiGe9u4dV2jIvb61tiW-vlZDF-9QPcBuoNM-tj4WnaXu8w_aem_ZeCfb3b6P8eJgrTY7YFksQ
