A sea of colour was on show at Cromer Pier yesterday at the launch of Seaside Special.Magic and music, comedy and dance will be mixed and dressed in colourful costume for the 13-week end-of-the-pier show, in its 28th year.

A sea of colour was on show at Cromer Pier yesterday at the launch of Seaside Special.

Magic and music, comedy and dance will be mixed and dressed in colourful costume for the 13-week end-of-the-pier show, in its 28th year.

The cast will be headed by comedian Barnaby, and magician and comedian Mandy Muden.

Alongside will be vocalists Adam Porter-Smith and Claire Maurer, percussionist Andy Pook and cellist Jonathan Kitchen – not forgetting the Seaside Special dancers.

The show is devised, directed and choreographed by Di Cooke, who said people could expect a typical variety show with a few extra surprises.

Newcomer Barnaby said the variety was the reason for the show's success.

“I do a lot of work on cruise ships and the question I am always asked by audiences is, 'Why aren't there more variety shows around?'” he said.

“People think they are old-fashioned, but there is nothing old-fashioned about making people smile.”

Sheena Fairbairn, theatre and attractions manager for pier managers Openwide International, said: “We have kept with tradition while giving our director the chance to keep the show fresh.”

Musical director Nigel Hogg said there would be two versions of the show.

“The first is called Show Time and focuses on classic songs from Mary Poppins and the West End. The second is called Moving On Up and has a Top of the Pops flavour, with one or two modern songs mixed in with the traditional ones,” he said.

t Ticket information: 01263 512495.

t Website: www.thecromerpier.com