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Review: Stepping Out at the Devonshire Park Theatre
MANY will recall Chris Jordan's production of this play for Eastbourne Theatres several summers ago.
The latest touring version, directed by Richard Baron, coincides with the 25th anniversary of the show's first performance in 1984, followed by the movie starring Liza Minnelli.
Written by Richard Harris, it relates the story of nine assorted ladies, and one man, who attend a weekly tap-dancing class in their local village hall and how, despite the majority having two left feet and little sense of rhythm, they are cajoled by former professional dancer Mavis, convincingly played by Lucy Williamson, into becoming the Mavis Turner Tappers, and the stars of a gala charity concert.
But how does a simple saga of leotards and leg-warmers, which becomes one of top hats and canes, sustain a play on stage for over two hours? Is it the inter-action between the dysfunctional, personal baggage-laden characters who comprise the class, or their inept attempts to tap-dance, which makes the show? This production never seems sure. "I don't want you to be helpful!" snaps insecure Andy (Johanne Murdock), to pseudo upper-class Vera (Lucy Woolliscroft, who, as understudy, coped incredibly well in only her third performance), whilst Cockney sparrow Sylvia (Jessie Wallace), and soulmate Maxine (Carrie Ellis), relish innuendo about their husbands, fellow dancers, overweight Lynne (Katie Kerr), happy-go-lucky Rose (Wendy Mae Brown), and bespectacled bundle of hang-ups Dorothy (Karen Traynor), bare their souls.
As the token man, timid widower Geoffrey (Brian Capron), and waspish rehearsal-pianist, Mrs Fraser (Rosemary Ashe), cleverly send-up their stereotypes but when the latter is tipsy and falls off her piano stool, and the dancers line up wearing a bizarre variety of hats, one could be forgiven for thinking it was a rehearsal for the Christmas pantomime. This show is strictly not "Strictly", but it has an amusing charm worth stepping out for.
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Weather for Eastbourne
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 20 mph
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