Hi-de-Hi!

By Paul Carpenter and Ian Gower - Adapted from the original television series by Jimmy Perry and David Croft

Performed: June 2011

Review by Dave Stacey

ALL the fun and laughter we enjoyed from the classic BBC television series lives on in the stage version of Hi-de-Hi! presented at the Brewhouse, in Burton, this week by the Little Theatre Company.

Though scripted by Paul Carpenter and Ian Gower, it brings back faithfully the holiday camp characters which came from
the fertile and brilliantly funny minds of Jimmy Perry and David Croft (who also gave us Dad’s Army, It Ain’t Half Hot Mum
and other comedy gems).

Vicky Fryer is superb in the role created on television by Ruth Madoc, that of Gladys Pugh, the camp’s chief Yellow Coat,
besotted by the shy and indecisive entertainments manager, whose failings are sensitively reproduced on stage by Leon Ratcliffe.

Peggy, the loveable chalet maid determined to be promoted to a Yellow Coat, is excellently portrayed by Katie Haywood in a performance of which Peggy’s TV alter ego, Su Pollard, would surely have approved.

A first class team recreated the much-loved characters of the television series in the sort of situations that made it so
memorable, with the personality clashes, the friendly bonds, the hopes of some for better futures and the broken dreams of others.

They also treated us in speciality spots to the kind of entertainments provided for the campers, including two which were really outstanding. One of these was a wonderful Egyptian-flavoured song and dance routine by Jack Hawkins and Jack and Tom Dent; the other a spectacular Laurel and Hardy number by Phil Robinson and Nick Payne.

As usual John Bowness did a great job as director of the show, which continues each evening until Saturday with a Saturday afternoon matinee at 2.30pm.