Stepping Out-Fareham Live.

Stepping Out was written by Richard Harris and premiered in 1984 at the Thorndike Theatre, Leatherhead, and later that year was released in the West End, London, and ran for three years.

I first saw it when the 1991 film was released, starring Liza Minelli and Julie Walters. The characters and themes that take place during the original productions are still relevant today. From domestic violence, infidelity, and benefit fraud. The characters are “real,” and for these tap classes once a week, the group can be themselves and attempt to capture something gir themselves before having to go back to their realities and challenges.

The current touring production stars Lucy Benjamin in the role of the well to do housewife Vera, who is desperate to find somewhere where she belongs. However, she’s out of touch with the real world and puts some of their backs up by bragging about where she shops. Although as we soon realise that’s all she has left.

The practice sessions are going fairly slow for the class who are their to chat and socialise as much as learning to tap dance. This all changes when their instructor, Mavis, played by Karen Hauer, tells them that she has entered them into a grand charity show performance. With the pressure now on, can they improve enough to succeed?

A special mention has to go to Ben Stock, who plays widower Geoffrey, who, despite being the only man in the class and slightly awkward at times he plays a brilliant role. Even when faced with doing a short solo piece with each of the ladies in the charity show, he still gives it everything.

Apart from Mavis, all the cast have to start each performance tap dancing badly and improve as the show goes on. It’s impressive watching how they start off badly, when you know that each of them can already dance properly. Yet, you would never know when they began.

It’s an uplifting production with a believable cast who are all trying their best to learn while dealing with their everyday challenges. Learning to find their feet while working out where their place is within the group. Where unlikely friendships flourish.

This touring production has all the charm and warmth that I remember from the 1991 film, and I was in awe of how they defeat the odds and show that you do anything with a strong mindset and determination.

For more information about Stepping Out and future productions at Fareham Live, please use the link below.

Five Stars.

https://trafalgartickets.com/fareham-live-fareham/en-GB

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