The 24 Hour Show

THE 24 HOUR SHOW:  ‘FAME’ based on the popular 1980s' film and TV programme.  Its set at the New York School of Performing Arts where students work hard, sing, dance and act on their way to graduation.  The show is forty years old but it explores issues that confront teenagers today.   

The costumes were in keeping with their characters; smart suits for the teachers, work out/dancers’ clothes, t-shirts, casual clothes and some smart dresses.  

The set was a grid with lights across the stage and focal point, in the middle there was a yellow New York taxi cab.  (Massive praise to the team who lifted the car onto the stage).    There was a raised platform on one side with musical equipment for the band.  Chairs were brought on to create the classroom scenes.   Props were kept to a minimum and were limited to scripts, clipboards, backpacks and bags.

The sound seemed rather loud but the vocals were faultless.   The lighting was brilliant; the main focus being the grid upon which the lights were built in and they changed colour.      

This show opened with the well-known song and a burst of energy from the entire cast.    It was full of athleticism (jumping off the car) and a familiar story.    The story included sexism and body shaming and a dated attitude towards sexual attitudes and one character who abuses a female member of staff is not reprimanded.    The performers playing the students had the youthful zest necessary and the teachers provided sensitivity and gravitas to their roles.     The cast, who had no sleep and learnt the entire show in 24 hours were just amazing.    Particularly outstanding were two vocalists: Siobhan Branch as Miss Sher packed an emotional punch with the sheer force of her voice in her solo ‘These are my children’.   Sabrina Hinchliffe as Carmen, gave a heart-breaking performance in her transformation from promising performer/songwriter to drug addicted drop out, still clutching onto her dream of success in LA.    Directed by Owen White and musical direction by Ryan Stevens with choreography by Zoe Quinney – a mix of modern and ballet – the show ended with the Fame theme song which had the audience and cast, dancing in the aisles. 

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