The Stage

Summer Special 2007

Published Wednesday 18 July 2007 at 13:55 by Hugh Homan

“You thought I was dead, didn’t you?”

To be honest, I wasn’t sure, but I’m pleased to inform the world that Bernie Clifton (the man on a chicken) is alive and well (“and looking younger than ever..!”) and keeping them all amused in Clacton during the two months’ run of the third Summer Special at the West Cliff Theatre.

It’s not the kind of show that’s going to have teenagers worrying their parents in B&Bs in Bentley or Great Clacton to insist they take in while on their East coast holiday. It’s not Lee and Joseph, but it passes an agreeable couple of hours (and there’s a complete change of programme - well, Joseph instead of Oklahoma - on Thursdays) so you can see two shows in one week. In addition to the aforementioned Bernie , there’s the Hungarian Duo Denvy (the petite Gabriella is hoisted around by the muscular Laci and balances on a frightening array of silver contraptions hoisted high into the roof of the theatre), the pleasing voice of John Warwick, who sings O Sole Mio and various other musical and operatic items, and the forceful voice of Shula Keyte, who sings and dances throughout the show. I particularly liked her songs (and the choreography) in extracts from Cabaret, which bring the show to a close.

Again, it’s the resourceful, talented and hard-working Tiffany Dancers (Sarah Dean, Laura-Jane Cook, Natasha Eve, Carys Jones, Jon-Jo Inkpen, Lizzie Maxwell, Penni Taylor and Kirk Temple), working to the inventive choreography of Aaron James, who give the show its zip and pace.

Much silliness from Bernie, plenty of audience participation, a huge inflatable doll - what more do you want to tempt you in, out of the rain on an English seaside holiday?