Stepping Out: 10 Mar - 2 Apr 2011
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Happiness is just a step away
Over the hill chorus girl Mavis Turner’s personal life is a mess, but she really loves to teach. Every Thursday she holds a tap dancing class for her well intentioned group – pseudo-posh Vera, common Sylvia, wheeler-dealer Maxine, shy Andy, token man Geoffrey and the rest – who dance purely for the enjoyment of being together, which is just as well because they really, really cannot dance.
When the group are invited to perform at a charity gala, in front of a real audience, the talentless troupe begins to crack under the pressure, and each start to reveal a little something of their personal lives, and what brought them to the class.
Stepping Out has been delighting audiences for over 25 years with its upbeat, heartwarming and timelessly funny tale which proves that in life, as in dancing, it’s always better to follow your own beat.
Reviews:
“Choreographer Beverley Edmunds should be taking a big bow, of course; Foxton’s design for the church hall (and two surprises later) is inspired; and Kevin Shaw’s direction excellent.”
- Manchester Evening News
“This Stepping Out is an evening with plenty of fun from a likable company. We laugh along with the would-be dancers, not at them and cheer them in their sparkly finale.”
- Oldham Chronicle
“…there are some excellent performances in this production. Ruth Alexander Rubin plays the part of the formidable Mrs Fraser with outstanding comic timing and Catherine Kinsella portrays the vulnerability and delicacy of Andy with subtlety throughout, making this character truly convincing. Emma Matthews turns in a delightful performance as ‘tart with a heart’ Sylvia, and both Kate Coogan and Nicola Bolton bring some moments of brilliance to the parts of Vera and Mavis…
“…if you enjoy a feel-good musical with plenty of laughs, then get yourself to the Oldham Coliseum.”
- The Public Reviews
“A true ensemble play with almost equally weighted parts, it is managed with rare aplomb by director Kevin Shaw and, not least, choreographer Beverley Edmunds - since all are required to tap, badly at first and then with increasing skill.
“…we can’t help […] wishing we too were learning to tap away all our troubles.
- The Stage
“This is a play with music rather than a musical and what a fabulous, heart warming and dynamic show it is.
“With tight direction, a feel good story, excellent portrayals, great tunes, it is a great night out and one I really recommend.”
- Theatre Reviews
Videos
Production Team
| Written by | Richard Harris |
| Director | Kevin Shaw |
| Designer | Foxton |
| Musical Director | Howard Gray |
| Choreographer | Beverly Edmunds |
| Assistant Choreographers | Rio Samuels and Kathryn Heasom |
| Lighting Designer | Thomas Weir |
| Sound Designer | Lorna Munden |
| On the Book | Jonathan Ennis |
Cast Members
| Mrs Fraser | Ruth Alexander Rubin |
| Mavis | Nicola Bolton |
| Vera | Kate Coogan |
| Maxine | Susie Fenwick |
| Andy | Catherine Kinsella |
| Sylvia | Emma Matthews |
| Rose | Tania Mathurin |
| Geoffrey | Ben Stock |
| Dorothy | Vicki Lee Taylor |
| Lynne | Stephanie Trott |
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