Many transport promises have been broken round these parts in recent weeks, but Transport for Greater Manchester’s boast that Bolton’s new interchange would provide “a step change in the quality of facilities provided for passengers” is a promise kept. For the Octagon theatre’s site-specific production, a bright and airy concourse transforms into stage and auditorium: plastic palm trees sway, beach balls bounce; the opening scene of this supremely feelgood film-to-stage musical plays out.
Four mechanics determine to drive their Bolton bus around Europe. Michael Peavoy, as Don, radiates the exuberant, boyish energy of Cliff Richard in the original 1963 film, with added touches of something darker that bring affecting depth to his later, romantic numbers with Eleanor Brown’s Barbara (the pop starlet runaway who stows away on the bus disguised as a boy, only to be revealed as girl).
To the chirpy strains of the title number, audience/passengers climb aboard a fleet of doubledeckers, waiting to drive off to France (imposingly impersonated by Bolton town hall and its dance-friendly steps). Here, the four lads rescue a trio (two young women, one young man) broken down en route to a career-defining gig in Athens. Greece is now the way all are heading, a destination that lies, along with Switzerland and Italy, within the Octagon theatre itself. In hot pursuit of the young ones are Barbara’s publicity-hungry agent and her fame-crazed mother (magnificently maniacal Barbara Hockaday). Elizabeth Newman and Ben Occhipinti’s sunny, peripatetic production amplifies the show’s “together we can get there” ethos – civic authorities, private companies, individuals, all uniting to achieve a town/theatre, boundary-free joyous interchange.
• Summer Holiday is at Bolton interchange, Victoria Square and the Octagon theatre until 23 June