CLACTON’S West Cliff Theatre Summer Show has got off to a flying start in its 125th anniversary year.

The theatre’s summer variety is the longest running continuous show in the country and this year the West Cliff pulled out all the stops to celebrate the anniversary, including pulling in variety star Don Maclean to headline.

The comic, who shot to fame in the BBC’s Crackerjack in the 1970s, was clearly at home on the West Cliff stage, where he first topped the bill in 1967.

His quick wit and humour are reminiscent of a golden age of variety, but his routines are still laugh out loud funny for all ages.

Don has been a regular visitor to the West Cliff and he also went down a storm in the fabulous one-off 125 Show celebration earlier this year.

He was joined by magician Danny Le Grew, the wonderful Summer Show dancers and vocalists Kilke John and James Waud.

Danny’s close up magic works excellently on stage in such an intimate venue.

The individual acts were excellent and there was a good mix of songs, dance, magic and comedy, but it was the wonderful interaction between them that made this particular show stand out.

Credit must go to choreographer Tracey Iliffe, producer Aaron Lissimore and technical staff for a slick production, particularly the wonderful song and dance numbers such as Flash Bang Wallop and a Spoonful of Poppins.

While this year’s Summer Show is clearly nostalgic, the theatre has done a great job at making it feel fresh.

Performances are on Tuesdays (2pm and 7.30pm) and Wednesdays (2pm and 6pm) in August with two final performance on Saturday, August 24, at 2pm and 7.30pm.

For more details go to westcliffclacton.co.uk or call 01255 43334