Tutti Frutti,
St Simon & St Jude ADS

ST Simon & St Jude ADS brought this year’s amateur theatre season to an end with a show containing 34 chart topping hits of the 1950s and 1960s.

With a bright and colourful opening number, Happy Days led by Ryan Stanton whose vocals set the standard for this fun packed evening, we were treated to familiar tunes galore.

Choreography, by Jennifer Dagnall, was in keeping with the era and costumes were just right too, making this a true fifties and sixties experience.

While there is not room to mention all the talented cast, the sense of team work in this production was evident as the whole cast appeared to be enjoying themselves while entertaining us — which is what it is all about. 

With comedy moments galore, the intermittent sketches added to the night’s entertainment.

The link with Bolton Artistic Roller Skating Club was good to see; both from seeing them perform faultlessly on stage, to having waitresses on roller skates providing drinks to the audience throughout the proceedings. A nice touch. 

Vanessa Dean-Boardman’s set was impressive with a true feeling of the 1950s diner, complete with juke box, drive through and the obligatory car.

The lighting added to the authenticity of the set, creating mood lighting with effective results.

The twist with vocals by Ian Dean-Boardman was a good ending to the evening with some members of the audience joining in the dancing.

Director Wayne Gibson has compiled a great selection of songs that had the audience clapping along, sending us home singing the familiar tunes.

PAUL COHEN