by Richard Harris
I was really looking forward to seeing this show being a big fan of tap dancing myself and from attending tap classes myself. I can’t believe I have never seen Stepping Out before.
The set called for a church hall setting. Here we had the free-standing notice board and benches either side of the stage with several doors leading off to other rooms. Of course, the set needs to have minimum furniture as this is a church hall that is used for different activities. This was all successfully achieved and the notice board was used as a clever hiding space for Geoffrey to hide behind to get changed.
Onto the cast, of course to do this show successfully you need to be able to actually do a bit of tap dancing even if that is badly. The actress who plays Mavis has obviously got to be able to tap dance and look like a dance teacher. This I can say was achieved by Kate Pilling who played Mavis.
From reading the programme and seeing how the cast performed on stage, it was also evident that the other actors either had experience of tap dancing or had recently been learning.
The mix of characters was played beautifully and it is hard for me to pick a favourite. Denise Phillips who played Vera had some classic comical lines to deliver, which she did with exceptional timing. Alex Hunter who played Rose was a chameleon on stage with her bright, brash clothing and ways. I think maybe my favourite character is Dorothy played by Mandy Yeomans. The quiet lady in the group but perhaps the one who gets the most laughs with her dippy voice and laid-back nature.
Of course, I also have to mention Sandra Haynes who played the formidable Mrs Frazer with her Co-op bag for life. All I can say is if I turn up to my tap class and she is on the piano there, I will be tip tapping my way out of the door.
Thank You Highbury Players for introducing me to ‘Stepping Out’. I definitely want to watch it again.
Reviewed By – Emma T.
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