Stepping Out

I had the pleasure of attending the first night of the inaugural production of this new NODA member and what a success it was. Premiered in 1984 with a film version released in 1991, with an updated script along the way, the scene is set in a dingy North London church hall where 8 individuals from disparate backgrounds and with differing motivations attend the same weekly tap dancing class. Despite the students at first treating the classes as social occasions, and showing little co-ordination, they later develop a level of skill and cohesiveness. The dance routines are the background for the focus of the play, the relationship and interaction of different people.

The class is run by ex professional dancer Mavis well portrayed by Lou Ford. Most of the time Mavis is in control, but the stakes are raised when the group is invited to dance at a fund-raising event and frustrations creep in and tempers fray, not least when Mavis blurts out that she is pregnant and didn’t want to be. Lou handled both ends of the behavioural spectrum well and demonstrated she was also a lovely dancer, whose career was cut short.

A close ally and friend is Mrs Frazer the pianist, who had a habit of throwing in the odd critical remark to the class, but clearly did not appreciate any criticism herself. Cath Skyme, who joined the cast in the later stages, drew on experience to portray an amusing character and to the audience’s surprise, joined the dancers at the concluding performance.

Soon Vera joins the class, rather snobby well dressed with an upper-class disposition, and a habit of cleaning up after everyone. Miriam Knight nailed the character but behind this front was a well portrayed sadness behind the close relationship her husband was having with his step daughter. The only man in the class was Geoffrey, a rather nervous character well played by Ben Beckett. Having said that, there was obviously a more confident side to Geoffrey who during a quiet moment proved he was an accomplished pianist.

With a reputation of being late Rose arrives, an Irish book keeper by trade. Sophie Handy provided possibly the best-timed comedy of the play, sometimes crazy but beautifully expressive. Meanwhile Sylvia was also very well played by Joanna Hughes, loud and almost always chewing gum, she became extra aggravated when the Dept .of Works & Pensions picked up on some dishonest claims made by her husband. She accused Dorothy played by Meg Crosby, who worked for the DWP. Meg gave a convincing portrayal of a rather timid uncertain character, with an over the top approach to tap dancing!

Another class mate Maxine, the sharp shrewd one amongst them, was well played by Josie Marston, often outspoken but still lacking in confidence and for ever it seems organising T shirts and waistcoats for the class. Andy (long for Ann) is also well played by Janet Sinclair, caring and sensitive, she strikes up a friendship with Geoffrey. Her life at home is not good and the class provides the only thing she does for herself and this is well put over by Janet. Lynne, nicely played by Erin Maiden (who also provided some impressive choreography) was a nurse and I particularly liked her explanation to a classmate of the first time she had witnessed a patient dying, which was very well spoken and moving.

From a shambolic first rehearsal, through a point when they were all bickering between themselves, the actual performance at the fund-raising event was actually very good, dressed in gold waistcoats and hats, proving the classes had not been in vain. Nathan Wilde’s direction captured the warmth and fun behind the play and all involved on and off stage should be congratulated on their first production.

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