We're All Going on a Summer Holiday!
We were delighted to stage performances of Summer Holiday just before half term The following review is by Richard Arrowsmith, who retired as Head of Grove last year. Photos are by Stewart Harrison:
Grove School’s ‘Summer Holiday’, performed just before February half-term, was a wonderful treat for the audiences, exuding fun, vitality and colour – and of course, a string of songs familiar to all of us ‘of a certain age’.
Built around the idea of a bus crew taking a London bus on a tour of the continent as a dry-run for a more commercial venture, the story is a string of episodes which quickly provide an excuse for another song and dance. Like many musicals, the plot comes second to the spectacle.
The choice of ‘Summer Holiday’ provided a showcase for the talents of a large number of individuals. The bus crew – Jonathan Sterling, James Pearce, Marcus Groom and Jonathan Hardy 
– have been stalwarts of school productions and school music for a few years and now seem very natural and confident on stage.
Similarly, Natasha Evans and Harriet Johns were two members of a girl pop-group who hitch a ride on the bus. They too have been loyal supporters of music and drama and their experience and well-developed skills are almost taken for granted. They bring vitality and humour to the roles.
They were joined, as the third member of the group, by new sixth former Daisy Mankee who gave a very spirited performance on debut and is a welcome addition to the school. Another newcomer, Hope Brownhill, carried off the glamorous and romantic role of Barbara as if she had been born on the stage. The duets with Jonathan were handled very maturely by both.
Producer Sharon Wright took a chance in giving the key roles of the sub plot to two very young students: Keira Parker and Robbie Bosley, but they almost stole the show! Keira’s amazing panache and Robbie’s studied humour came across very well and they thoroughly deserved their special cheer at the end.
A large group of supporting actors and actresses who sang and danced with gusto bodes well for the future of Grove’s musicals. Music was provided by Ken Sterling, the inspiration behind countless past school productions with support from Stewart and Jonathan Harrison and Lyn Murphy. The school is well served by these loyal and talented musicians who appear in many varied functions throughout the year.
For Sharon Wright, it was a second triumph following the success of ‘Grease’ last year. Her eye for detail and her ability to draw out the best from her students have lifted performances to a new plane. Choreography is brave and well-disciplined. Singing is spot-on and well synchronised. Sets are creative and thoughtful. There is a professional air about Grove productions which make the audience feel they have seen something significant. ‘Summer Holiday’ was sharp, snappy and super fun.
