Stepping Out
Devonshire Park Theatre
Produced by: Trafalgar (Eastbourne Productions) Limited.
until Saturday 29th August
Tickets
As someone who attends adult tap classes myself, I leapt at the chance last night to see a new production of Stepping Out as it began a two week run at the Devonshire Park Theatre in Eastbourne, before heading onto Southend, Fareham and Bromley. I was accompanied by another of my ‘classmates’ and I am pleased to say, we had an absolute hoot!
Stepping Out is a play about a group of women, and one token man, from different backgrounds who gather every Thursday evening in a Church Hall to learn tap dancing. True to my own experience, they join the class are for different reasons and their motivations unfold throughout the play.
Strictly’s Karen Hauer plays teacher Mavis. Gently soft spoken she puts her students through their paces whilst nursing her regrets and own demons. Watching over her is her pianist Mrs Fraser (Felicity Duncan) who has a penchant for traditional song writers such as Irving Berlin. The dancers are a mixed bunch, they are somewhat relatable but fit into unfortunate stereotypes, the overweight one, the show-off, the people pleaser, the shy one etc. Amusing conversations revolve about everyday things, husbands, jobs children however it is when Mavis announces that they are to dance in a charity concert that tension and pressure builds.
I know from first-hand experience, that coming to tap as an adult is not easy and I was keen to see how the cast portrayed improving from beginners to ‘show-ready’. This, the cast did beautifully and the dancing segments certainly provided the most laughs. “It’s not my brains that are giving me trouble, it’s my feet. They have a mind of their own.” – yep that’s me, as is my aversion to props!
My main criticism is that backstories and subplots are neatly set up but are not drawn to any conclusion. This may be akin to real life but is quite unsatisfactory and leaves a lot of questions unanswered. However, Stepping Out is witty, well acting, well danced and well worth a night out.
We left the theatre giggling and planning a second visit with the rest of the girls (Unfortunately there is no token man at our class, we definitely need a Geoffrey).
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Reviewer: Sammi O’Neill
Cast
Mavis: Karen Hauer
Mrs Fraser: Felicity Duncan
Lynne: Devon-Elise Johnson
Dorothy: Sophie-Louise Dann
Maxine: Carli Norris
Andy: Laura Tyrer
Geoffrey: Ben Stock
Vera: Lucy Benjamin
Sylvia: Kerry Enright
Rose: Wendy Mae Brown
Understudy: Chevaun Marsh
Creatives
Directed by: Chris Jordan
Written By: Richard Harris
Set and Costume Designer: Julie Godfrey