Fame the Musical

Fame the Musical is a favourite of youth groups and it’s easy to see why.  The show is full of energy, with great songs including some beautiful solo numbers.

The year is 1980 and a new intake of students, with big dreams, are beginning their journey through the fictional New York City High School for the Performing Arts.

The energetic opening number, Hard Work, got things off to a great start, after which the show moved at a good pace throughout. All the principals were on top form, although there was evidence at times that these young voices were beginning to feel the strain of the sometimes demanding vocals.  Mostly though they coped admirably with both vocals and dialogue.

All the teachers gave good mature performances.  Miss Sherman’s song These are my Children is a real tear jerker, so well done to Abigail Topliss for really giving it her all.  Lottie Kastner as Greta Bell, Isabella Shorten as Miss Myers and Bethany Taylor as Miss Sheinkopf all played to their individual strengths.  Well done to all of you.

Jack McNaught certainly knows how to play to the audience. He has a natural comic ability and was well cast as Joe Vegas.  Yoav Pilowsky Bankirer is a fine young actor who gave a good sensitive performance as Nick Piazza.  His solo I Want to Make Magic was very nicely sung.  Serena Katch was well played by Isobel Brogan.  Her lovely solo Let’s Play a Love Scene, was beautifully sung but failed to have the desired effect on Nick!

Well done to Ben Spencelely as Jack Zakowski.  A very good performance, including singing, (Dancin’ on the Sidewalk) and a great rap!  Scarlett Wilkinson was terrific as Carman, displaying all the emotions required of the role, including her strong delivery of the title song, accompanied by the Ensemble.

There were other good performances from Chloe Sims as Mabel Washington, always worried about her weight and Emily Bradley as Iris Kelly, a talented dancer. The Musicians were well played by Nate Brittenden as Schlomo Metzenbaum who, together with Carmen  gave a lovely rendition of Bring on Tomorrow and Lola Harris as Grace ‘Lambchops’ Lamb and James Spenceley as Goodman ‘Goody’ King.

The principals were were supported by Dance Captain Tilly Griffiths plus the Ensemble and Chorus.

Dancing was good, if not a little repetitive at times, but I do appreciate that movement is restricted due to the small stage. 

The band, conducted by Miles Cragg, provided good accompaniment. Costumes appeared to be of the period.  The scenery had been kept fairly simple but worked well. Scene changes were swift with the cast moving some of the stage props, thus eliminating long blackouts.

From where I was sitting the sound did seem to fluctuate at times.  However, most of the cast projected well, so from that point of view, it did not cause a problem.

This was a very enjoyable production.  Well done to all involved and thank you for inviting me.

 

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