Fame the Musical

Fame the Musical ... staged and performed by SONG at The Atkinson Theatre, Lord Street, Southport on Friday, 17th October 2026.

I love attending a production that I haven’t seen before! You sit down, with no preconceptions, other than perhaps, as in this case, a vague recollection of the iconic TV series from the early 1980s and the film of the same name. All I could remember for sure, was that the mere mention of word ‘Fame’ around that time, made you want to sing out loud... ‘Fame I’m going to live forever’! The narrative follows a class of young hopefuls attending the famous High School of Performing Arts (informally known as ‘PA’) at 120 West 46th Street, New York, where they discover that the ‘all-elusive fame’ is a thing that isn’t as instant or as easy as they first thought! We are introduced to students and teachers one by one, we follow their struggles, triumphs, romances, heartbreaks and some tempestuous relationships with sincerity and honesty, some with dramatic effect! The cast list suggests that we have ‘leading actors and supports’, but my overhaul impression ... this is very much and ensemble piece ... where almost every individual has a chance to shine! I enjoyed the production, but it was the ‘young talent’ on show that impressed me most, everyone worked their socks off and contributed something to the success of this musical.

Production Team ... tasked with guiding us through this challenging musical with its many sensitive issues... drug abuse, learning difficulties, loneliness, sexuality, weight -issues, and suicide was Steve Chesters (Director), Joe Martin (Musical Director) and Anna Dunnett, Steve Chesters & James Shaw (Choreographers). The team had gathered a very talented and enthusiastic cast, who from the opening number, ‘Pray I Make P.A.’, looked happy, engaged and up for the challenge that lay ahead! This number set the tone for the entire show and captured the essence of the show’s teenage angst and passion. The choreo was great throughout, the dancers bringing a youthful exuberance with energy and some creative routines that played to the strength/abilities of each individual dancer, which isn’t always easy! Joe Martin led a tight orchestra who supported each and every singer, from solo to ensemble numbers with great skill.   Well done to you all, be proud!

The Cast... a cast of twenty-six talented and enthusiastic youth actors took to the stage to bring us their interpretation of ‘Fame the Musical’, they included...
Jack Smith who played ‘Nick Piazza’; Abbie Davies - ‘Carmen Diaz’; Darren Musa - ‘Joe Vegas’; Grace Curry - ‘Iris Kelly; ’Dani (Daisy) Capie-Witterick - ‘Serena Katz’; Dylan Bayliff - ‘Miss E. Sherman’ Leo Rawsthorne - ‘Schlomo Metzenbaum’; Amelia Rose Smith - ‘Grace (Lambchops) Lamb’; Ellis Hayton - ‘Nikolai Zakowski’; Noah Vogel - ‘Mr Myers’; Fred Carson – Mr Sheinkopf; Holly Partington - ‘Miss Greta Bell; Andrew Dunnett-Edge - ‘Mo’ Musician; Kate Hitchmough - Mabel Washington and Isaac Holton -Goodman (Goody) King’. 
Ensemble: Fleur Grace Wigmore, Serafina Campolucci-Bordi, Emma Westby, Elesha Nolan; Isaac Shea, Grace Cunningham, Emily MacKay, Jacob Follett, Ofelia Crompton; Nathaniel Grills & Alfie Christian.  
Said previously, in my opinion, this was very much an ‘ensemble musical’ where everyone contributed to its success, so, to start saying someone was better than someone can sometimes be wrong!  But I am going to stick my neck out and select some favourite characters ... MY favourites, you’ll have your own opinions, but these are MINE ... and I’m going to start with the ‘outrageous’ Darren Musa who took on the role of ‘Joe Vegas’.  OMG what a performance, what a performer! Darren teased every ounce of comedy out of the hilarious, lustful Joe Vegas, a young man who struggles to keep his ‘sexual feelings’ under control. Good dancer, great stage presence... loved his rendition and dance to ‘Can’t Keep it Down’, wonderfully explicit song about his struggle with his amorous desires ... just loved it!  The next three favourites are all ‘couples’ of sorts ... firstly Dylan Bayliff who created this wonderfully strong character in the form of ‘Miss Esther Sherman’ and the class rebel, the one with learning difficulties, ‘Nikolai Zakowski’ played authentically by Ellis Hayton. Loved how Dylan transformed this character, with effortless ease, from cold disciplinarian to caring sensitive teacher who wanted to help Nikolai. Their interactions throughout were strong and oh so real... the ‘slap’ received by Nikolai from Sherman resonated around the theatre bringing gasps/shock from the audience! Dylans storytelling in the song ‘These are my Children’, was perfect, THE stand out number for me ... be very proud you two. Second duo was Jack Smith and Dani Capie-Witterick playing ‘Nick Piazza’ and ‘Serena Katz’ respectively. Their chemistry/intimacy was totally believable, as it was in the rehearsal I saw. Two great characters created, both blessed with good voices which they used well when singing solo or together. Final shoutout... Leo Rawsthorne – ‘Schlomo Metzenbaum’ and Abbie Davies – ‘Carmen Diaz’. I think I’m right in suggesting that Schlomo was infatuated, perhaps in love with Carmen although she probably didn’t know it and he was probably too shy, quiet and vulnerable to actually tell her! Carmen, is obsessed and infatuated by fame ... she’s also has a ‘drug habit’. Leo and Abbie provided us with some great intimate moments/scenes together, especially the final scene where Schlomo gives her money for food, but which she uses to buy the drugs that finally ends her life!  Such an emotional scene, acted out amazingly well. PS: in the production Schlomo leads a student ‘Rock Band’ ... Leo actually plays the instruments live on stage ... who needs a band! Honestly, I could mention many more... you all did amazing jobs contributing to the success of this production!

Stage/Set/Tech... Radley Haynes (Stage Manager) and his team of set builders, scenic painters, should be proud of what they created. Moonlight Events created a well-constructed set, affording all the access/exit points that allowed this production to flow with ease, plus access to an upper level. Lighting Plot/Design by Max Houghton and Steve Chesters was first rate, as was the Sound under the watchful eye of Oliver Wilson.  But I really can’t leave this section without making mention of the ‘smoke/haze’ which I felt majorly affected the opening and final scene.  Opening scene/song, saw several singers totally hidden by the haze! In the finale scene, similar occurrence. Carmen is hoisted high by cast members ... again the haze totally obscures the lifters and Carman. I do understand why smoke/haze is used, but when this happens, it’s so detrimental to the production in my opinion. To finish on a positive note, I loved the projection throughout which was so professional by Moonlight Events.

The Band... led by the experienced Joe Martin (Musical Director), were situated behind the set on stage unseen. They did a great job supporting every song... Andrew Standeven, (Keys 2), Mike Ciaputa (Guitar), Lala Robinson (Bass), John Padfield (Reeds), Trevor Banks (Trumpet) & Sam Jones (Drums).

Costumes and Props ... as always, the costumes were first class, enhancing the production ever so much under the watchful eye of Karen Fairclough (Costumes). Props were of good quality and used ever so well overseen by Emily Blinkhorn & Bev Newton..

Chaperones... I always make mention of these ‘unsung heroes’ without who, these young actors would not be allowed to perform. Under the guidance of Guy Wigmore (Safeguarding Officer) we had Bev Newton, Candice Follett, Karen Fairclough, Katerine Smith, Linda Davies, Lynn Wigmore, Samantha Davies, Sarah Boyack and Stephen Vogel... be ever so proud folks, YOU’RE doing a fabulous job!

Thank you so much for the invite and your hospitality throughout. Thanks to Linda Davies for looking after us throughout!  I’ve stolen the following quote from your programme, thought it very apt..... ‘AIM FOR THE SKY. REACH FOR THE STARS... YOU ARE ALL VERY SPECIAL ... true words from Steve Chesters. Thoroughly enjoyed the show and already looking forward to ‘Whistle Down the Wind’.  

Stay safe, Keep well ...
“Stronger Together”
Jim Briscoe
NODA NW
District 6 Rep

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