ISLANDS IN THE SUN

Fed up of the English summer? Crave a little sunshine? Don't worry, relax and crack open a coconut, the summer is finally coming. Well, at least for a while. For two days in September, a spell of tropical sunshine was forecast to envelop the wet and windy region of East Cleveland.

Following on from their hugely successful production of 'Oklahoma!', (which played to packed theatres at both Middlesbrough Theatre and Darlington Civic Theatre) the Earthbeat Theatre Company (for adults with learning difficulties) delighted audiences at Saltburn Community Theatre with their vibrant and exhilarating production - 'Islands in the Sun'.

The show, which they rehearsed for over 18 months, consisted of a variety of songs and dances that originated from the tropical islands of the South Pacific and the Caribbean.

Musical numbers include 'Day O', 'Yellow Bird', 'Jamaica Farewell', 'Aloha O' and, of course, 'Island in the Sun'.

'This was a smaller production than the shows we usually stage at Middlesbrough and Darlington', said director, Tony Galuidi, 'but it was a bright, uplifting show which was also a lot of fun. No one ever leaves our shows without a smile on their face and a lump in their throat and this one was no different.'