Stepping Out

There are certain plays that simply never get old. For me, they are Noises Off and Stepping Out.   I remember exactly where I was when I read the email informing me that Whitehaven Theatre Group was staging Stepping Out at the Rosehill Theatre, and believe me I couldn’t have been more excited!

From the first moment the actors took to the stage, it was clear that the comedy chops of the group were going to be put to good use. The audience were immediately drawn into the hilarious and chaotic world of an amateur tap class, a mismatched group of misfits, each with their own quirks and personalities. The comedy throughout was impeccable, and it’s a testament to both the actors and director Jude Henderson’s strong vision.  She made sure each member of the company had their moment to shine and you really feIt like you got to know these people. Whilst the show was well crafted, I did feel it ran a little long in places and could have done with a good fifteen minutes shaved off the total runtime.

Vanessa Turpin, a fabulous character actress whom I’ve had the pleasure of watching in other roles, was once again a standout. She brought Sylvia, the brash and cheeky member of the class, to life with her sharp wit and effortless comedic timing. Every line she delivered was gold, and she had the audience laughing from the get-go.  It’s often the simplest of lines that resonate with me the most, and I still titter when I replay Vanessa’s “you can’t say fairer than that” retort in my head some two weeks later!

Scarlett Todhunter delivered a brilliant performance as Vera, showcasing excellent characterisation that truly brought the role to life. Her portrayal had the perfect balance of charm and intensity that made her presence on stage totally captivating.

Jen Todhunter’s debut as Mrs Fraser, the grumpy and perpetually unimpressed piano player, was another highlight of the night. You’d never guess this was her first time in a play as her performance was polished and full of confidence. The deadpan delivery of her lines had the audience in stitches, particularly in moments when her frustration with the class members boiled over. 

Adding to the night’s enjoyment were the brilliant performances of Shaun Donald, Maria Morton, and Debbie Atkinson—veterans of Stepping Out, and it showed. These three actors have tackled the play before, and their experience allowed them to have a deep understanding of the characters. Shaun, in particular, was a riot as Geoffrey, balancing his character's awkwardness and eagerness with a subtle allure. 

The chemistry between the ensemble was electric, and it was evident that the cast had a lot of fun on stage together, which translated to the audience in spades.

The set design effectively complemented the action and enhanced the intimate feel of the space, although at times it felt a little cramped, limiting the blocking of some scenes.  It was really well made and I loved the attention to detail on the notice board posters – it’s those little touches that just elevate the piece for me and make the ‘world’ come alive.

Of course, the final tap number was what we were all waiting to see and from my seat towards the back of the theatre, I could take in the whole thing and appreciate the really tight and well synchronised routines. The energy radiating from the stage during that finale was infectious, leaving the audience beaming with joy. 

It was a fitting culmination of the characters’ journeys, showcasing not only their growth but also the camaraderie they developed throughout the rehearsal process which I couldn’t help feel was art imitating life.  Stepping Out is not just a play about tap dancing; it’s a celebration of friendship, resilience, and the laughter that can be found even in the most awkward moments and I commend Whitehaven Theatre Group for their ‘Tip-Top’ production…or should that be ‘Top-Tap’?!

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