WITH a little help from a big red bus Felixstowe's Spa Pavilion has today announced the musical production of Summer Holiday as its Summer Youth Project for 2008.

WITH a little help from a big red bus Felixstowe's Spa Pavilion has today announced the musical production of Summer Holiday as its Summer Youth Project for 2008.

Now in its sixth year, the project provides an opportunity for budding young stars in the area to stage and perform a full-scale musical under professional supervision.

Bridget Rutherford, project coordinator said: “Over a two-week period the cast are put through an intensive rehearsal schedule, learning all stage techniques including performance, lighting, sound and music.

“In the second week the show is performed in full costume to the paying public.”

The stage adaptation of the famous 1962 film Summer Holiday, which starred Cliff Richard, Melvyn Hayes, Una Stubbs and the Shadows, tells the story of four young London Transport bus mechanics travelling across Europe in a red double-decker.

Mrs Rutherford said: “En route, they meet a singing trio called Do-Re-Mi who are on their way to a booking in Athens and discover a nervous stowaway who introduces himself as Bobby, aged 14.

“It turns out that Bobby is in fact a missing singing heiress called Barbara. They have many diversions, including romance, song and dance while travelling from London through France, Switzerland and Italy before eventually arriving at their destination in Greece with Barbara's mother in pursuit.”

Auditions for the show take place in May next year but the Spa Pavilion will be hosting a special show preview event on Saturday, November 24 at 2pm for all those interested in taking part.

Mrs Rutherford added: “The main aim of the event is to enable people to meet the production team and learn more about the project.

“Summer Holiday is a fun and challenging show to stage and The Spa Pavilion will be looking for a total of 90 participants at the open audition day next year.”

If you would like to find out more about Summer Holiday and what is involved please contact Bridget Rutherford, project coordinator, on 01394 282126.

What do you think of the project? Have you taken part in the past? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk