Stepping Out the Musical
Information
- Date
- 29th June 2019
- Society
- Bunbury Players
- Venue
- Jubilee Centre, Mildenhall
- Type of Production
- Musical
- Director
- Mandy Morrish
- Musical Director
- Will Cahill
- Choreographer
- N/A
The best thing about Stepping Out – The Musical (and its sister play Stepping Out) is that it provides no less than nine – count ‘em, nine! – strong roles for women. And having had the pleasure of seeing two very different productions of the musical version this season, another clear advantage of this show is that most of these roles can be played successfully by women of all shapes, sizes, ages, colours and ethnicities, hairstyles, etc.
The Bunbury Players of Mildenhall, Suffolk approached Stepping Out – The Musical with gusto and love, creating a village tap class populated with a delightful mix of familiar, everyday eccentrics.
Mavis is a former professional dancer who gave up the quest for fame and fortune when the parts dried up. Saddled with a troubled personal life, she ekes out a living teaching tap dancing lessons. Most of her students have a less glittery past but some also have problematic personal lives for which the tap classes and the resulting camaraderie prove welcome escapes. The chance to perform a big routine in a charity event is the catalyst for teacher and students alike to change their lives for the better.
Directed by Mandy Morrish, this production’s greatest asset was the warm rapport and definite connection between the highly individual characters onstage. The class had the feel of a group that has been together for some time in class and knows and accepts each other’s foibles, even if they are not all great friends.
As Mavis, the dance teacher, Carrie Parsons ruled her charges with both authority and benevolence. A terrific singer and dancer, Parsons deftly conveyed the brittle regret of a ‘could-have-been’ and a growing desperation about her current lot in life while effectively demonstrating a combination of affection and annoyance with her erstwhile students -- as well as with her vinegary accompanist, Mrs Fraser.
And as Mrs Fraser, a bit of a terrorist armed with a piano, Hazel Thompson aptly portrayed the plain-spoken grouch hiding a secret heart of gold behind the vinegar. Her trek across the stage in the finale on a motorised mobility vehicle was something to see!
This was a top cast: Katie Beckett delivering laughs by the minute as the quick-witted Sylvia, Colin Musgrove as the kindly but shy and wary Geoffrey, Karen Humphreys as morose Andy, Chloe Gilbert as sweet-natured, wide-eyed Lynne, Danielle Swanson as goofy Dorothy, Angela Tully as world-weary businesswoman Maxine, the beautifully bluesy-voiced Jo-Ann Ward as Rose and Sue Perry as the lonely, aspirational Vera who cleans, collects dance sticks and offers advice in her quest to be needed. This actress also deserves a round of applause for her courage in wearing one of the most horrific costumes– by necessity! – seen in these parts for many a moon, a body-con onesie in gold. And Ms Perry did it with aplomb!
Musically this show has, arguably, one memorable number, the theme song “One Night a Week”, which is catchy and hummable and was performed well by the cast as the opening song. They grappled with the rest admirably under the capable musical direction of Will Cahill.
The set reflected the chaos and dustiness of a down-at-heels village hall, and the costuming helped us understand the cast of characters from the start – the sequined elegance of Maxine, the quirky Pippi Longstocking look of awkward Dorothy in her fabulous leggings, Colin’s effort at seasonal colour in his jumpers, and Sylvia’s tough and down-to-earth but flirty look.
The lighting artistry came into its own in scenes set in a local wine bar, where some of the tap students convene after class. A special blue light was used to create the ambiance, while a regular light was brought in during the songs set there to showcase the faces. Nice!
What a fun evening Stepping Out – The Musical delivered. It was a pleasure getting to know this set of characters, sharing their woes and joys, and seeing them ultimately succeed.
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