Hooray for Hollywood - Lowther Pavilion, Lytham

The show is similar in format to ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ and ‘That’ll be the Day’, namely songs from a given era performed by top class musicians and singers against a background story to fit the period. In this case, not the Swinging Sixties but the Fabulous Forties.

The scene is a select London gown emporium run by the owner, Leonard (Richard Hazlewood) with his assistant, Grace (played by director, Katie Ashby), who dreams of being a famous singer. Into the shop come screen idol, Harry Carter (William Norton), and his leading lady, snobbish Lena (Isabelle Page).

Harry gets Grace an audition, Grace gets a part, everyone is happy and the audience enjoy more than two hours of scintillating music from Cole Porter, Irving Berlin and the like, plus highlights of many Hollywood musicals.

The singing throughout was first class coupled with some remarkable and energetic dancing by the talented quartet.

A superb three piece band, comprising Jarek Pyc (M.D. and keyboards), Ian Smith (double bass) and Alan Savage (drums), and augmented by backing tracks, created in turn both sophisticated jazzy and orchestral backings in accordance with the material.

A finale of ‘That’s Entertainment’ and ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’ had everyone on their feet and, for an encore, as the band struck up ‘New York, New York’, the cast came down from the stage and joined the audience to sing and dance in the aisles.

A perfect ending to an exuberant show. I was amazed the theatre was not packed. Once word gets around, there won’t be an empty seat next time round.

RON ELLIS