Fraser’s star on the rise
Actor wins role in famous show
A former Beaconhurst pupil is set to take centre stage after being cast in the lead role of popular musical Summer Holiday.
In the show which opens next month at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow, Fraser Morrison, 20, stars as bus mechanic Don, famously played by singer Cliff Richard in the 1960s’ film Summer Holiday.
Fraser began his performing career at Stirling’s Macrobert Arts Centre at aged nine, starring as charismatic French resistance leader Enjolras in Les Miserables.
During his time at Beaconhurst, he was heavily involved in the expressive arts programme taking lead roles in the school’s annual musical shows, including Oklahoma, Fiddler on the Roof and Sweeney Todd, at the Macrobert.
His appearance at the 1,785-capacity King’s Theatre will see him perform before his largest audience to date and he is delighted to have won the lead role.
Fraser said: “It’s going to be a great show. I first saw it four years ago and really enjoyed it so when the opportunity came to audition and I got the part of Don I was so excited.
“I’ve been listening to the music non-stop and can’t wait for my first time on the King’s stage.”
Summer Holiday, which is being performed by musical theatre group The Lyric Club, is set in the Swinging Sixties and tells the story of Don and his fellow London Transport mechanics as they head off on their double-decker bus for a summer jaunt across Europe. It’s a feel- good show full of hits made world-famous by Cliff including `Bachelor Boy,’ `Living Doll’, and `Summer Holiday’.
Fraser, who now lives in Cumbernauld, said: “It’s a great show with lots of memorable songs that everyone knows and it will be an all-singing all-dancing fun night out.”
Since starting out at the Macrobert in 2006, Fraser has appeared as a principal character in 53 musicals, performing in four or five shows every year.
While at Beaconhurst, he starred as Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd and cowboy Curley McLain in Oklahoma.
He said: “The role as Enjolras in Les Miserables – where I was the youngest cast member – was the catalyst for it all and being at Beaconhurst meant I had lots of opportunities to develop my acting and singing skills and be part of some great productions.
“Musical theatre is my passion in life and I’m so looking forward to being in Summer Holiday.
“It’s a big undertaking and I have big shoes to fill, but the rehearsals have been enjoyable so far and everyone is having fun which really shows in the performances.”
Fraser, who was deputy head boy at Beaconhurst and is still involved with the school as president of the Alumni Association, is currently rehearsing twice a week for the show which opens on March 7.
There will be seven performances over five days between Tuesday March 7 and Saturday March 11 at the King’s Theatre and tickets cost between £10 and £24.
For more details and to buy tickets, go to www. atgtickets.com/shows/summer-holiday.