A travelling East Anglian theatre show has been met with rave reviews after it launched at a bespoke new theatre space.
The cast of Summer Holiday took to the stage for the first time at the new Big Barn Theatre in Southwold earlier this week, bringing the magic of the 60s classic to Suffolk.
The show, part of the Theatre on the Coast summer season, has been praised by locals and special guests alike.
Audiences on the opening night applauded the “very talented cast” and recommended the show for a light-hearted “blast from the past”.
Will Windell, Southwold town mayor, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my evening watching Summer Holiday.
“The cast are incredibly talented and really did transport us back to those glorious days.
“Shows like this are a great draw for tourists to our region, and I would highly recommend both tourists and locals alike to go and watch a performance.”
Another guest added: “At a time of climate change, rising energy costs and war it is so important that theatre has the power to lift the spirits and create a diversion from all that is currently happening.
“The production of Summer Holiday did exactly that in a transformative way, with wonderfully high production standards in script, acting, music, costumes, dance, set design, props, lighting, and theatre direction.
“The young and hugely talented cast of Summer Holiday excelled in their task of entertaining their audience, and it is clear that those young performers will have hugely successful careers ahead of them.”
The Big Barn Theatre, a converted barn at the Southwold Maize Maze, was specially constructed for the show.
A converted double decker bus, complete with an on-board bar, attended a gala evening on Wednesday to provide guests with refreshments.
Director Matthew Townshend, of Matthew Townshend Productions, added: “It has been great to see the Big Barn Theatre so busy with audiences for a nostalgic nod to Sir Cliff and the Shadows.
“Our local theatre industry has been in real need of a boost after two years of Covid disruptions, so it means the world to see so many people coming to support us.
“We’ve been incredibly lucky with the weather too – so what better time is there to go for a summer holiday?”
Summer Holiday continues at the Big Barn Theatre until Saturday. It will then move to Sheringham Little Theatre from Tuesday, August 16 until Saturday, August 20.
The tour will finish with five final shows in Great Yarmouth from August 23 until August 27 – just in time for the bank holiday.