ALL ABOARD FOR A FABULOUS SUMMER HOLIDAY
The new stage musical based on the hit 60s film
starring Cliff Richard is coming to Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday 25
September for one week only.
Enjoy fun and laughter on a Summer Holiday when
the stage musical packed with classic Cliff Richard hits comes to Darlington
later this month starring Ray Quinn.
Based on the iconic 1960s film starring Cliff
Richard and The Shadows, this new stage musical includes all of the number one
hits from the movie, plus some additional Cliff classics.
The famous red double-decker bus will be
stopping of at Darlington Hippodrome to entertain audiences from Tuesday 25 to
Saturday 29 September.
Summer Holiday tells the story of Don and his
fellow London Transport mechanics as they journey together in a red
double-decker bus through Paris, the Alps, Italy and Greece. Along the way they
pick up a girl singing group and a young American pop star who is on the run
from her domineering mother.
Taking the lead role of Don is Ray Quinn whose musical theatre credits
include playing Danny Zuko in Grease in the West End), Dirty Dancing also in
the West End, the UK Tour of Legally Blonde and most recently the UK Tour of
The Wedding Singer.
We caught up with Ray to ask him a few
questions about Summer Holiday and also filling the rather big shoes of Cliff
Richard:
Tell us a bit more
about Summer Holiday?
Summer Holiday the musical is based on the
Iconic movie from the ‘60s. I am playing the role of Don, made famous by Sir Cliff
Richard. With a group of friends we take a trip round Europe in a big red
double decker bus - and along the way the adventure turns into a romance and
lots of fun! The audience are in for a huge delight! It’s fast paced and
exciting, with iconic songs that everyone will know and want to sing along to.
In a nut-shell it’s what I would call good old fashioned entertainment at its
best!!
To play the lead part
in Summer Holiday, a role made famous by Sir Cliff must be a huge honour?
I’m very excited but also a bit nervous at the
same time. When I was offered the role I jumped at the chance and then it hit
me! This is my first role as lead male and on a personal note it was my Nan’s
favourite movie and she adored Sir Cliff Richard! So big boots to fill and I’m
up for the challenge and I know my Nan would be so proud..
Did you watch the film
a few times to help you with the role?
Yeah, I have watched the movie several times
to get my head around the role. I want to stamp my own identity on the part,
but at the same time want to do justice to the original. I have to have a bit
of a ‘60s posh London accent, so that’s totally new to me. And those iconic
songs, such iconic hits!
How many rehearsals
did you have to do for this show?
We had 3 weeks of intense rehearsals in North
London studios, followed by a week of tech rehearsal in the theatre before
opening in Liverpool. I know this sounds short but everyone in the cast and
production team are so committed to making the show great and with my crazy
schedule it had to be done!
You are touring all
over the country, I'm guessing that must be hard at times, being away from home
so much?
Yeah it gets little tough at times. I get to
see my fans who have been with me since year dot !! I miss my family and
friends, but when I get time off I spend it at home with them, which is always
special.
It seems like a
lifetime ago, you finished runner up on the X Factor to Leona Lewis. Can you
believe it was 12 years ago now? What was it like to be on the show?
I know, I was reminded about this last week in
an interview and it made me gasp… 12 years - wow! It was such an amazing and
crazy period a whirlwind of ups and downs and to be in the final with Leona was
incredible. X Factor was such a great learning experience for me and will
remain one of my career highlights – I loved it!
You won Dancing on Ice
in 2009. Did you have much ice skating experience before you went on the show?
I get asked this a lot and when I tell them
‘no’, they say ‘really?!’ I never set
foot on the ice before I was selected to be in DOI. I like a challenge and I am
kind of fearless sometimes (a little too much!). Working with Jane & Chris
was amazing. I would go to rehearsals each week wanting to take things to the
next level and they would always support my ideas for new moves and having them
mentor me was such a big part of making those idea come true.
Did you suffer any bad
injuries during the show?
Yeah I had a couple of accidents on the Ice,
luckily not too bad but you have to expect injuries as it can be a pretty
dangerous environment. Luckily I’m still standing!
When you're not
working, what do you like to do?
Like most people I like to spend my downtime
at home with my Family doing the normal things. I don’t get to do this on a
regular basis as I am tour a lot, so its important to me as that’s when I can
totally relax and chill and recharge my batteries.
If you hadn't of done
the X Factor, what sort of job do you think you would have done?
I wanted to be a copper (police officer) or
barber when I was kid. I’ve been known to cut hair when on tour for the guys in
the show. However, it all changed when my Mum took me to see my first show and
I told her “this is what I want to do Mum!”
Who was your hero
growing up?
Sammy Davis Jnr, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin,
Jean Kelly Fred Astaire…
Well I could go on for day’s when it comes to
this subject. My love for Swing and The Rat Pack comes from my childhood. My
Dad is such a massive Fan of this era and he would play his records in the
house and I started to sing along. When it comes to singing and dancing there’s
no one to touch the great Jean or Fred.
What would be your
dream job and why?
Playing James Bond. I’m a massive fan of the
Bond Movies. My ultimate Bond was Sean Connery - he is Mister Cool I wanted to
be him. I love action Movies and I think this is the ultimate British role..
Do you still get
nervous before you go on stage?
Yeah you bet! Opening night is the most
intense time for me. Once on stage I’m fine, but those few seconds in the wings…oh
boy! I love my job and couldn’t imagine doing anything else now.
Summer Holiday runs at Darlington Hippodrome
from Tuesday
25 to Saturday 29 September.
For more information or to book call 01325
405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
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