It’s a big year for Cromer Pier as it celebrates its 125th anniversary – and the team behind the biannual Cromer Show have risen to the occasion with a summer production that’s brimming with flair and fun. The extravaganza at the Pavilion Theatre, on the seaside town’s historic Grade II-listed pier, is two-and-a-half hours of dance, music, comedy and entertainment, directed by Rob McVeigh and choreographed by Amy Grimshaw.

The host, Jack Gleadow, is superb. His is an affable, approachable humour – think old-school variety meets modern stand-up. While this is a Cromer debut for Jack, musical director Nigel Hogg brings his prodigious talent to the show for a 22nd year. Each song and dance number is varied and original, with Fern Duffy and James Hammond’s lead vocals soaring above the audience in the 500-seat end-of-pier theatre. 

From the moment it opens with a big-tune, 1920s-style act, I’m swept up in a whirl of feathers, sequins, enthusiasm and energy as we’re immersed in an homage to The Traitors; the super trouper world of Abba with a fabulous nod to Mamma Mia (hint: wetsuits, snorkels and oversized flippers); and I love the runway-inspired fashionista routine to tunes by Madonna and the Eurythmics. The cast look like they’re having such fun! There are more poignant moments, too, including a moving tribute to the military, as well as a scene devoted to the pier’s history with a montage of vintage photographs and footage brought to life on the eight-metre video wall on the stage. 

The six dancers are a ball of non-stop vim and verve, their synchronicity always on point. The sets are creative and the costumes are West End spec. The showtune finale (Oliver!, Phantom of the Opera, Mary Poppins, The Rocky Horror Picture Show) has us all clapping and grinning from ear to ear. There truly is something for everyone, from Irish jigs to Destiny’s Child. 

A highlight for me is the guest performer, which switches up every two to three weeks over the season. When I visit, it is the comedian and TV personality Myra Dubois, aka the ‘self-declared siren from South Yorkshire’, whose acerbic wit and comic timing does wonders in warming up the audience. Her synergy with host Jack is great (their The Weakest Link routine of groanworthy-but-genius jokes is LOL). The speciality act Duo Douell brings another layer to the proceedings, with the pair showing us their knife throwing, gravity-defying balancing and aerial display skills. They even slice through apples with real chainsaws, which may sound out-there, but brings a change of pace. 

Imaginative staging, second-to-none talent and a theatre full of joy… How better to mark the 125th year of the pier, which has been entertaining generations since 1901? Bravo. 

The Cromer Pier Show 2026 runs until 19 September. For more information and to book tickets, visit www.cromerpier.co.uk