Cliff congratulates county singers

The producers and cast of Shrewsbury Amateur Operatic Society's next show, Summer Holiday, are thrilled to have received a congratulations message from Sir Cliff Richard.

For the show is based on Sir Cliff's 1963 film, and many of the songs he sang in the movie are featured in the stage version.

Audiences attending Summer Holiday at Belvidere School, Shrewsbury, from May 12-16, will be able to read Sir Cliff's message to the society in the show programme.

"As director, I am delighted we have received a key message from Sir Cliff," said Heather Game.

"Recognition that Shrewsbury Amateur Operatic Society is bringing to Shropshire the show Summer Holiday – with which he is synonymous – is obviously a boost ahead of our first performance which we are all really looking forward to.

"After all our intensive rehearsing going back to last November we now can't wait for the show to begin," she added.

The stage version follows the film very closely and has 44 musical numbers – 15 of which are instrumentals that the orchestra, under musical director Steven Roberts, will play during scene changes.

The music, the dancing and the costumes, including highly colourful flouncy skirts and hairbands worn by girls in the 1960s, will together make up what Heather describes as an 'all-action, all-moving show' which she is confident will help lift spirits.

Her message is: "Forget the doom and gloom. Spend a summer holiday for a night at Belvidere School for the sheer exuberance of the show."

The cast of Summer Holiday is approximately 30, which includes 10 principals, and the society has several new members performing to an audience for the first time. They are not only having to learn the production, but come to terms with not being themselves and enter into the characters of the show.

In the four principal male roles are Ross Wigley, James Pinches, Chris Lewis and James Archer and the girls are played by Becky Frost, Rachel Barton, Abbie Calloway and Emily Floyd.

Tickets costing £7 - £5 for the first night and Saturday matinee – can be obtained from Monks Estate Agents, Shoplatch, Shrewsbury, or from 01743 236855.