Stepping Out

“Stepping Out” is a play with music written by Richard Harris in 1984. It opened in London’s West End in 1984 where it received the Evening Standard Comedy of the Year Award; and on Broadway, New York in 1987.

After LMS’ main production of Oklahoma! this was a extra show involving only ten actors and took place in a small black box theatre. Set in a dingy church hall, the only props were an old upright piano and a random number of upright chairs. A wonderful variety of leotards were worn by the dance class participants and a great variety of Hats by the pianist!! As for the “cycling home” gear worn by Dorothy – they were worth the ticket price alone!! Lighting was limited but used well for atmosphere and changing of scenes. No mics were employed in this small venue and dialogue was generally audible. 

Natalie Armstrong was Mavis, a former professional dancer who tried her best to teach a disparate group of enthusiastic amateurs to tap-dance! Most of them were there to escape the humdrum of their everyday life! Two extreme opposite individuals were Vera and Dorothy played by Una Culkin and Christine Deane who were blessed with some script ‘gems’ and somewhat extreme characterisations! Vera (Una) wore expensive clothes and was obsessed with cleanliness! Every time she appeared she was wearing “marigolds” or carrying cleaning products which never failed to cause the audience a laugh! Married to an older husband who had sent her to speech and etiquette classes, she was rather prim, and Una always delivered her well-meaning criticisms with wonderful straight-faced expression. Dorothy was well portrayed by Christine  with extravagant and rather ungainly moves as she tried to master the tap steps! She had little confidence in her abilities, but all the others loved to help her, and she got there in the end! (Like Les Dawson’s terrible piano playing - I know you must be skilled to do it badly on purpose!) As I mentioned before - her cycling outfit became funnier every time!!

Eden Riley was Lynne, a student nurse who found it difficult to put the sad events at work behind her. She was always eager to please her new friends such as Sylvia (Michelle Lake) who was flirty and proud of her curves!! Amy Astbury was Andy – a timid do-gooding woman who, it seemed, was being bullied at home by her husband. She was unable to accept the attentions of Geoffrey – the only man in the class. Simon Quigg as Geoffrey obviously had a crush on Andy but was a bit awkward. He was very convincing as the shy widower who surprised us all at one stage by being a competent pianist!

Maxine (Emer McCaffrey) was brash and always trying to sell dance gear to the group. She showed her worry about her lazy and disrespectful stepson and was obviously a good mother - and a good dancer! Cary Jossart’s Rose was a more serious character as she appeared to have recently come through Cancer treatment but always made light of it. I liked her (newly grown!) curly hair in the second act!

I loved the understated dour character of Dawn Stevenson’s Mrs Frazer – the group’s rehearsal pianist! Always wearing her coat and hat, she just sat there reading strange magazines, making sarcastic remarks, and coming in with the music when needed. Usually grumpy and cantankerous Dawn’s sudden surprise solo when all dancers had gone was just superb!!

The recorded music used for backing was well chosen, featuring well known jazzy tunes from old favourites such as Joplin, Berlin and Gershwin.  Choreographer, Vanessa Chapman did a great job on the dancing, showing the difficulties and gradual progress in tap dancing. I don’t know if anyone on stage was a total newcomer to the art but Vanessa built it all up to an excellent showpiece at the end! Alan McClarty directed this very funny play with skill – gradually revealing each player’s character, background and idiosyncrasies. He allowed all the comedy to show through as well as some pathos.

My thanks go to everyone involved for a great evening’s entertainment and for the hospitality. My personal sincere thanks also for the kind gift on my coming retirement which is so much appreciated. I will continue to visit LMS in the future as an ordinary punter!!

 

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