Stepping Out

A deserved tribute to Fay Hinchcliffe, late President was delivered by Trevor Chambers prior to this performance.  Fay was a long-standing member of the company and will be sadly missed by both the cast and crew, also members of the audience, whom she greeted with great warmth over the years.

The play about an adult dance class preparing for their big night concert concentrates on the foibles and life problems of the members, it relies on all roles delivering and the production certainly had this.

Wayne Perry as the only man in the class gave an excellent performance as Geoffrey.  Facial expressions and timings were spot on.  Sharon Stringer delivered a strong showing as the frustrated tap teacher Mavis, outstanding was Lynne Dickinson as the grumpy accompanist Mrs Fraser, who at the finale proved she can dance and sing with the best of them.

Ellie Mallinson as Vera deserves great acclaim for having taken on the part only three weeks prior to the production and delivered a very impressive portrayal of the new member, not only dazzling with her dancewear but intent on making sure that everything was clean and tidy.

A confident Liz Woolley played Maxine, with Rai Robinson as a well- portrayed Sylvia, and Patricia Church brought out the humour in her role of Rose.  Together with Ciara Beighton as Andy, Jessica Baird as Lynne and Karen Jones as Dorothy, they all brought out their own different characters and problems in this heart-warming comedy. 

Adding to that was a nice cameo by Jack Woolley as the MC, and not forgetting the booming off stage voice of Jake Perry. 

The set for the finale and the ensuing tap dance was a super way to finish the show.

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