Fun and laughter at traditional seaside variety show

The Great British Seaside Special returns to The Princess Theatre in Hunstanton.

This is my first variety show and it promises ‘lots of laughs and feel-good fun’, so I’ve high hopes. I meet Anna Hallard, one of the directors of The Princess Theatre in the foyer, “It’s traditional seaside entertainment. There’s something for everybody, old and young, from magic to comedy to dance.”

Every Wednesday afternoon in August the variety show takes to the stage. At the doors I meet Freya and her 2 children, Gracie who’s 5 and 8 year old Joe. Like me, it’s their first one, and they’re excited, “I saw on the poster there are these puppets,” says Gracie, “They look really fun.” Not just any old puppets though, UV ones.

As I take my seat friends Christine and Valerie turn around to have a chat, for them variety shows have been part of their lives since childhood. “We’ve always loved them, we have such a good laugh,” Christine says, Valerie nods her head and adds, “It’s just pure joy to us and it’s a seaside tradition. I also think supporting the local theatre is so important.” They can’t believe this is my first, “You’ll have to tell us what you think at the end!”

The lights go down and entertainer and compere Bobby Dazzler gets the audience going with some good old ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhhs’. At one point he’s squirting a water pistol into the audience (which I’ll be honest on such a hot day is welcome), at times he has the kids giggling and everyone claps along as he sings.

Performer Chris Marley

Then it’s ‘Guinness World Record-Holding Daredevil Extraordinaire’ Chris Marley, who’s a juggler. His act gets a lot of ‘wows’. Up next is magician Michael Diamond and his assistant Jade, leaving us puzzled as to how the illusions are done. After it’s Ultra Vibrancy’s turn, the UV puppets, and I spot Gracie and Joe laughing away.

Ultra Vibrancy

A few more jokes from Bobby and it’s the interval. I take the opportunity to chat to a few of the ushers who say it’s a lovely way to introduce young people to the theatre and that it’s great to see it’s full. The show was brought back last year and sales are already up, so the hope is to run it over 2 months in the future. I spot probably the youngest audience member - a 16 month old - whose grandfather says has been happily clapping along.

Then for another hour we are immersed in more family friendly entertainment, along with Rollason dance school in their dazzling costumes. And I begin to see why it’s such a cherished seaside tradition.

After the show magician Michael Diamond says, “I’ve really enjoyed being at Hunstanton every week. One of the best things about performing in the variety show is working with other artists. We are all really good friends.” He also adds, “We meet lots of members of the audience after the show and they all say that it's so nice to see a traditional seaside variety show come back to Hunstanton.”

Assistant Jade and magician Michael Diamond

At the end Christine and Valerie ask for my opinion, “We’re leaving happy", they say, "And that’s what it’s about, a bit of fun."  I couldn’t have put it better myself.