Stepping Out

This is a show which excels on extremely poor dancing that in places is absolutely terrible!!. Add to the mix some outrageous characters and violently appealing costume colours and you have all the ingredients for a highly likeable piece of entertainment. The result is a funny, slick show which leaves you with a warm glow. No surprise then it has been pleasing audiences for nigh on 30 years

The story is set in a church hall and catalogues the lives of seven ladies, one man and a teacher all of whom it transpires have their own idiosyncratic ways and complexity in their lives. All demonstrating the trials and tribulations of a group of seemingly hapless hoofers who gather each week and ultimately deliver a glitzy glamorous and highly professional slick finale in a razzle dazzle routine

A highly accomplished line up played their roles with pace and excellent character delivering lines with appropriate confidence and great humour.

Mavis Turner (Ellie Taylor) relentlessly endeavours to lead her willing but not always able group turning up for their tap classes eager to do well, with leg warmers, leotards and emotional baggage all part of the plot.

Yes the characters are stereotypes, but the cast demonstrate them as real people -well almost.

Mrs Fraser (Debra Hutchinson) is at the piano in a fur hat trying to stand her ground with some acerbic comments. Motor Mouth Maxine (Jenny Tranter) Dorothy (Gillian Hancock) arriving in high viz jacket every week on her bicycle, and Lynne ( Katie Ingram) performed well

Vulgar Sylvia (Joanna Hughes) in a rasping voice with an attitude to match was suitably attired in outlandish horizontal striped leotard. At the other end of the spectrum Vera (Anne Lane) brought her snobbery - including toilet brush - to clean the communal facilities – and ostentatious wardrobe to the proceedings. Geoffrey (Paul Robinson), Rose (Jo Lush) and self-conscious Andy ( Jan Miller Weir) completed an excellent cast.

At times some of the lines were a little inaudible for reasons beyond the theatres control; however this did not detract from a very good and enjoyable production

The conclusion of “Stepping Out “ was the charity concert, for which all performers had been striving  to demonstrate their acquired new dancing skills and 12 months later being invited  to return to perform with great aplomb  a “Chorus Line” type finale..

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