Bringing Summer Holiday to Blackpool's Grand Theatre will be like 'coming home' for Ben
Ben Occhipinti has fond memories of childhood visits to see family in Blackpool - and is sure they will come flooding back when he brings a new production of Summer Holiday to the Gand in July.
He is co-director of the new stage adaptation of the classic Cliff Richard film musical from the early 60s which is packed with memorable songs.
It is a co-production between The Grand and the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield and will be coming to the Grand after a run in the South Yorkshire city.
Ben grew up in Italy but his grandparents lived on the Fylde coast and he visited them for extended stints each year as a child, enjoying all Blackpool has to offer as the archetypal British seaside resort.
“I loved the beach, the donkeys, the Pleasure Beach and I’m loving the prospect of bringing Summer Holiday to Blackpool,” he said.
“It’s a great musical with wonderful songs and it’s a joy to be part of.”
Ben regularly visits his grandad Keith Bailey, 92, in a care home in Lytham and despite having dementia, Keith happily reeled off songs from Summer Holiday when Ben told him it was coming to Blackpool.
“It’s a lovely show based on a film so many people remember so fondly and where better than Blackpool to perform ut,” said Ben.