Film & Theatre, Reviews | Posted on August 1st, 2025 | return to news

Hi-de-Hi!

All Saints’ Dramatic Society, Bournemouth Life Centre, Thursday 31 July to Saturday 2 August.

Review by Luke Graham

The classic TV sitcom ‘Hi-de-Hi’ was brought back to life by the cast of All Saints’ Dramatic Society on Thursday 31 July.

This original BBC comedy aired from 1980 to 1988 and was created by Jimmy Perry and David Croft (the co-writers of other classics including ‘Dad’s Army’ and ‘It Ain’t Half Hot Mum’).

Set during the heyday of the traditional British holiday period in the 1950s, ‘Hi-de-Hi!’ follows the entertainers and staff of the fictional Maplins holiday camp in Essex. The myriad cast of characters include scheming host Ted Bovis, pretentious dance tutors Barry and Yvonne, snobbish Gladys Pugh, and bitter children’s entertainer William Partridge, all led by the inept but well-meaning Jeffrey Fairbrother.

The cast performed admirably, and one of the standouts was Sue Josey as chalet maid Peggy, famously played by Su Pollard in the original show. Josey demonstrated great comic timing and physicality to the role.

Dean Smith did well as the uptight manager Jeffrey Fairbrother and did a great job playing a drunk towards the end of the first act.

The stage production was also very well done. Real detail and effort had gone into the making of the elaborate set, as well as the cast’s costumes.

‘Hi-de-Hi!’ is All Saints’ Dramatic Society first production in their new home of the Bournemouth Life Centre, a former art deco cinema turned bingo hall and now a community hub. It was my first time visiting this impressive venue. This was also the debut show of director Georgie Drake, who did an excellent job managing this large and varied cast.

Tickets to the show are still available for performances this evening and Saturday night. Book via https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/asds.