Stepping Out
Information
- Date
- 10th January 2025
- Society
- Dilys Guite Players
- Venue
- The Lantern Theatre - Sheffield
- Type of Production
- Play
- Directtor
- Alison Glentworth - Assistant Director Simon Naylor
- Musical Director
- N.A.
- Choreographer
- Joanne Payne
- Producer
- N. A
- Written By
- Richard Harris
This was a first-class performance of “Stepping Out”, and congratulations to Alison, Simon and Joanne for not only a well-polished production, but also for bringing together such a talented group who can tap dance as well as act. Everything was well thought out with the direction, lighting changes, musical numbers and choreography all combining to make this a very successful production. It takes many hours of rehearsals to be as good as this.
The play concerns seven ladies and one man all from various backgrounds and with different issues leading to problems in their daily lives. They meet weekly at the tap-dancing class in a local church hall to tap away their troubles. Mavis, the dancing teacher, supports and encourages the class, even though she has her own troubles. As the play progresses, the reasons they all have for attending the classes are slowly developed. Titbits are revealed about their hopes and anxieties, leaving the audience loving to know a little bit more about their lives. Skilfully played by the cast, with a range of abilities and hilarious scenes their tap-dancing skills move slowly along. However, when Mavis announces that they have been asked to perform in a charity concert this is greeted with mixed reactions. We watch their skills slowly develop as Mavis puts them through their paces with the dance routine. Will they make the grade? - we are kept in suspense until the final scene.
All the actors were brilliant and gave very confident performances with a good pace of dialogue and diction. The cast were physically suited to their roles and understood their characters extremely well, not only in the acting but also their style of tap-dancing.
Lara Bundock was superb as Mavis, the dance teacher. Delivering the dialogue and teaching the dance routine at the same time was perfect, as was her solo dance which brought back memories for Mavis when she was a professional dancer. The class could not function without the tetchy Mrs Fraser, a pianist with attitude such that if she didn’t agree with the way things were going, she went off in a huff. Annie Barefoot was perfect in this role. With very clever technical programming of the keyboard, it certainly looked as though Mrs Fraser was playing all the musical numbers. – Loved “Happy Feet” very appropriate.
All the actors gave excellent performances and were superb with their characterisations, mannerisms, facial expressions and comic timing, all of which were different and perfectly suited their characters.
Lauren Dorman played the timid Dorothy, who works in Social Security and tries so hard to get to grips with her tap. Nirdushan Jones played Maxine as the very sharp and confident lady, who could get hold of any clothing you wanted from her shop. Isabel Wedgwood was Andy, a plain do-gooder lacking in confidence. Petrina Wright was Vera, who was not only snobby, but always said what she thought and didn’t care if she hurt anyone’s feelings. Beth Marsden played Sylvia, a down-to-earth lady with her funny, quick off the cuff remarks. Rosie Pearsall was cast as Rose, and nothing ever seemed to faze her. Kevin Jackson as Geoffrey was the only male brave enough to attend the class, a shy, nervous individual who doesn’t appear to be very comfortable in the presence of all the ladies. An extra special mention for Ruth Jepson, who amazingly at the 11th hour had to quickly learn the dialogue, characterisation and tap routines to suit the character of Lynne, the girl whose life revolves around taking care of her patients.
With a lot of hard work and encouragement from Mavis, the class eventually made it to the top and we see them perform a brilliant tap routine at the Charity event, complete with sparkling outfits (was this courtesy of Maxine or Vera?). The cast were able to show off their tapping skills in the final scene and Mrs Fraser in a sparkling outfit joined in with the final routine.
It was -4 degrees outside with a thick layer of ice and snow, but what better way to spend an evening than a visit to the theatre. Thank you for a most entertaining evening and the applause was well deserved.
Sue Cox NODA N. E Drama Rep Reg 14
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