Seaside Special opens at the Princess Theatre
Keeping traditional British summer seaside entertainment alive, the Princess Theatre’s summer season kicked off yesterday afternoon with a fast-paced variety show with a thrilling mix of music, dancing, magic and circus acts suitable for all the family.
Speciality Acts and Senior Dancers Credit Ian Burt
The shows are every Wednesday until 2nd September. Produced by Chris Gidney of That’s Entertainment Productions, they feature multi-instrumentalist Andy Eastwood, illusionists Dean Raymond & Kazia Cannon, the crazy circus world of Domino and the Rollason Stage School dancers.
Andy Eastwood Credit Ian Burt
“It’s nice to be back, I love performing here,” said Andy who will be commuting between Hunstanton and Blackpool each week. “This show is a unique production for Hunstanton, it’s a traditional format with lots of audience interaction and a few surprises.”
Opening with an impressive lighting sequence the first act begins with fire eating followed by a musical piece by Andy Eastwood and the Rollason dancers, before the show hosts, Dean and Kazia, perform their first illusion (I don’t want to spoil the surprise, so you’ll have to get a ticket to see for yourselves).
More music, circus from Domino and dancing concludes the first act and it’s time to find out what the audience thinks of the show so far.
Interval time, and as ice creams are sold and drinks replenished, I meet Beverley Bishop from North Walsham who’s at the show with her mother Margaret Pixton from Wereham. Beverley said: “It’s a real treat for the two of us today to come out together, as we don’t do that often, but we both love going to the theatre and seeing different things.
“I’m really, really enjoying it, it’s such good fun, and it’s lovely to see people of all ages here.”
“Yes, I agree there,” says Margaret.
Isla tells me that her favourite part of the show so far is the dancing.
Isla
Arnie (right) who’s at the show with his brother Billy tells me that he likes the funny bits best.
Act Two opens with an impressive aerial hoop sequence from Rollason Stage School’s Euphemia, Summer and Isla to Defying Gravity from the Wicked soundtrack, then Dean and Kazia are back with more illusions including swords!
Playing themes from much loved films Andy Eastwood demonstrates his incredible musical talent on violin then swaps to ukelele and guitar for a singalong with the audience that culminates in rapturous applause.
A dance tribute to the genius of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton by the Rollason dancers followed, then Domino returned with more circus entertainment persuading members if the audience to join him on stage. Well done to the lady, gentleman and little girl who participated.
The finale with colourful costumes, dancing and songs completed an afternoon of entertainment for all ages.
Video editing by Eden Hewitt