Escaping
reality…through dance
Stepping Out
By
Richard Harris
Newcastle
Peoples Theatre
Until
Saturday 21st June 2014.
Everyone
has issues. Everyone has a need to escape those issues. Everyone wants to be
acknowledged. Peoples Theatre’s latest play features an eclectic bunch who
decide to do this through dance.
Mavis
is the ex professional dancer who has decided to run the dance class for
adults. Kath Frazer does a wonderful job in this role as the undervalued
leader. Anne Havis appears as the pianist Mrs Frazer who knows it all. Throughout
the story there is some attempt to suggest some of the characters back stories
and their reasons for attending. The loan male participant is Geoffrey (Roger
Liddle) though he is readily accepted by the others. We never find out where
Maxine (Joanne Kelly) is sourcing
the stuff she sells to the others; or why Andy(Emma Wass) seems to be so
withdrawn. There are suggestions to the reasons why but plenty is left to the
audience’s imagination – and it is probably better that way.
The
story does look at how relationships strain when a group of strangers come together
for a single purpose. As with real life, there are numerous light hearted
moments as comedy can be found in many situations.
Director
Sally-Anne Cooper and choreographer Julie Bowman have arranged numerous dance
routines give the cast a chance to show-off their tap dancing skills. The
confidence and ability improves as the show proceeds but that doesn’t stop the
opportunity for some comedic moments.
The
8 dancers and their teacher do a superb job of dancing through the show, from
the first steps as learners to the full “Top
Hat” treatment of the grand finale. The
show features the professional hallmarks that one expects from Newcastle’s premier amateur
theatre group.
Photos by Paula
Smart: https://www.facebook.com/thejazzdevilphoto
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR. Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
STEPPING OUT by Richard Harris
DATE: Tuesday
17 – Saturday 21 June 2014
TIME: 7.30pm
VENUE: The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne,
NE6 5QF
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