Fame The Musical

Fame the Musical, conceived and developed by David De Silva and based on the 1980 film was first produced in 1988 in Miami Florida, and tonight Spotlight Theatre Company took the audience on a complex yet exhilarating journey through the highs, lows, tragedy and elation experienced by the Class of 84, (In Drama, Dance, Music specialities and their teachers) at New York’s School of Performing Arts.

I knew I was in for treat when, almost from the first bars of ‘Hard Work’ I felt the hairs on the back of neck starting to rise.  The combination of vocals, attitude and characterisation, band scoring, choreography, set and lighting design were, from the outset, a perfect combination and the obvious attention to detail from Amanda, Mitch, Jessica and the team brought all the elements together to deliver an entertaining, and at times challenging production.

As was the case last year with ‘Our House’ there are too many exceptional performances to call out every individual in either the named parts or ‘chorus’, as in all cases their characterisation, delivery and ‘comfort in their own skin’ increased as the first night developed and together, the whole exceptional ensemble deserved both the laughter, and tears, they drew from a suitably appreciative audience. 

Matty Collins brought depth and naturalistic delivery to Nick Piazaa with Poppy Cook giving a nicely understated edge to Serena and Joe Smith added the humour (and vulnerability) to the outwardly shallow Joe Vegas.  Charleigh Hurst and Moya Thompson were simply superb in their characterisation, vocal and dance abilities making both Carmen and Tyreece believable three dimensional characters whose combined attitude pinned you to your seat.  These ‘Dance’ team leads were effortlessly supported by Grace Hodgett-Young, whose musicality never ceases to impress and Sophie Petruccio who’s dance quality was evident throughout.    

 
James Murray, Ellie Monterosso and Lucas Young worked exceptionally well together as the ‘Music team’ throughout the evening as their various characters grew in confidence and depth which brought another dimension to the production.  In addition to their acting and musical contribution both Lucas and James executing great ‘Fame Scissor Kicks’ in unison at the end of the night – which were excellently timed guys.

The ‘Teachers’ Alison Sheppard, Catherine Cunningham, Sean Goodwin and Khalil Devrache-Thompson provided just the right gravitas, impatience and concern for their students with Alison delivering one of the vocal highlights of the night with ‘These Are My Children’  
The whole production team, orchestra and backstage crew deserve to be suitably proud of this production, it was a pleasure to watch – and the energy on stage at the end of the evening is something that will live with me for some time to come!  Congratulations all and I look forward to seeing you next year.

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