Set in the 1970s All the Fun of the Fair is just what the title says a ride on the roller-coaster of fairground life played out to a background of the songs of David Essex, with him in the starring role as Levi the fairground owner. There is gravitas and a dark side too, the life of a fairground traveller is hard and poverty and danger walk beside them every day. Levi’s wife has died in an accident and he is at odds with his son Jack over the future of the failing funfair. Amongst a mixed bag of family relationships, Levi has an on-off affair with Rosa, the resident Irish fortune teller, and Jack with her daughter, Mary, although being Jack-the-lad (forgive the pun) he also charms a local girl, Alice, who he subsequently falls for seriously. Into this melting pot are added her father, Harvey and his menacing sidekick, Druid, who disapprove of Jack, and Jonny an orphaned boy taken in by Levi and who longs to be truly one of the family.

Firstly, David Essex hasn’t lost any of his charisma and charm since the days of Rock On and Gonna Make you a Star even though his trademark black curly locks have gone, as he pointed out himself rather playing for laughs at one stage. Loyal fans in the audience weren’t too sure and politely left a gap before it was obvious they should join in with the laughter! Rob Compton as Jack gives a good performance of a love-struck teenage tearaway, as does Susan Hallam-Wright playing Mary his long-suffering and eventually jilted girlfriend. Tim Newman puts meat on the bones of the role of Jonny, the simple orphan and delivers some skilful acting as well as singing.

David Burrows as Harvey (Alice’s father) has a great voice and very much looks the part of a small time hoodlum, ably assisted by his henchman Druid played with menace and a long leather coat by Barry Bloxham. The production numbers are lively and it’s great to hear the songs we remember, even if the main man doesn’t sing them all himself. As a musical there’s enough storyline to keep you interested as well as some superbly executed special effects that certainly make for a dazzling finish to the show. We really enjoyed it, along with an enthusiastic audience who were delighted to be given one last encore by the leather-clad Mr Essex and his very capable cast who gave every impression that they were enjoying it as much as us.

Jacquie Vowles