Happy Days ahead as Mark takes the stage (From Keighley News)

Happy Days ahead as Mark takes the stage

5:00pm Monday 20th August 2012 in Keighley

Blue skies will continue through the summer and into the autumn for local performer Mark Allan.

He is playing the iconic role of The Fonz in the stage version of TV rock ‘n’ roll comedy Happy Days.

He is currently rehearsing with fellow Keighley Amateurs members for performances at Victoria Hall from October 15 to 20.

Happy Days, whose title song says “goodbye grey skies, hello blue”, features a large cast of experienced performers with an exuberant young ensemble.

They portray the Cunningham family, their super-cool lodger Arthur Fonzarelli, and pals like Potsie and Ralph Malph down at the diner. Mark takes on the role of The Fonz – played on TV by Henry Winkler in the 1970s – following several appearances with amateur dramatics groups but this is his debut with Keighley Amateurs.

The director, Jamesine Livingstone, said: “We are amongst the first to bring this new musical to the UK. Our young cast will recreate the fun and laughter of 1950s small town America.

“We contacted Henry Winkler via Twitter and told him of our intention to stage the show. He said ‘the cast should be filled with joy of a gentler time’.”

Booking will open on September 3 from keighleyamateurs.com or the Copy Shop in High Street, Keighley.