AMAZED shoppers witnessed a double decker bus pull up in Victoria Square where passengers, armed with inflatable palm trees, lilos and beach balls burst into song.

Yesterday’s showstopping happening was the launch of Bolton Octagon’s forthcoming production of the classic musical, Summer Holiday.

But it wasn’t just a publicity stunt because that’s what actual audiences will experience when the show starts its run on May 31.

Each evening, six Vision Buses will collect 384 audience “passengers” at Bolton Interchange where the show will begin.

From there they will travel to Le Mans Crescent, which will be standing in for France, and then on to Victoria Square, where further scenes will be performed before audiences head back to The Octagon.

Artistic director of The Octagon, and show co-director, Elizabeth Newman, said: “It will be an ambitious staging of the musical, with talented actor-musicians singing, dancing and playing instruments in locations across Bolton.”

She added: “This will be a version of Summer Holiday never seen before and I can’t wait to share it with audiences.”

After playing Mr Rochester and Laertes in The Octagon’s productions of Jayne Eyre and Hamlet, Michael Peavoy is looking forward to playing the lead in a light-hearted show.

He said: “Rochester was full of angst and worries, and as Laertes, in Hamlet, my second scene involved me discovering my father had been killed and my sister was going mad.

“So, after that it’s nice to play a guy who just wants to get on a bus with his mates and go on holiday with his mates and have a lovely time.”

Michael, who plays Don – the part Cliff Richard took in the film – described the show as “simple and joyful” and full of upbeat and positive numbers.

“This production is going to be very exciting.

“It will be a great experience for the audience to get on a bus and travel around their town and see it in a completely new light and come on an adventure with us.”

Eleanor Brown plays American pop star, Barbara, who escapes from her pushy mum and stows-away on the bus.

“I knew a lot of the music but I only saw the film recently when I got the part. It’s such a joyous, fun, happy film,” she said.

Appropriately enough, Eleanor has booked a holiday to Greece – the destination of the characters in the film. Although an experienced actress, she has never performed off stage so is looking forward to experiencing theatre on the move.

“I’m quite excited to do it. I love the theatre and to be able to take people on a journey to the theatre on a summer holiday is very exciting.

“I feel a mixture between excitement and nerves but I’m sure the audience will get on board.”

Summer Holiday runs from May 31 until June 23.