Stepping Out
The Players Theatre Company
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
23rd to 27th May 2017
The Players Theatre Company
Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
23rd to 27th May 2017
Players Pull Off Massive Scoop!
The Players Theatre Company have every right to feel rather pleased with themselves right now, as they’ve managed to pull off a massive scoop with their next production, Stepping Out.
I went along to one of their rehearsals to find out just what makes their latest production so special. Stepping Out was written by Richard Harris, who also wrote Outside Edge and The Business of Murder amongst others. He also wrote for tv shows such as The Sweeney, Hazell and Shoestring. The popular film of the play was released in 1991, which starred Liza Minnelli and gave Julie Walters a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
It is set in a north London church hall, where a disparate group of locals from varying backgrounds, all go along to enjoy tap dancing lessons; initially as more of a social occasion rather than for learning and real dancing skills; but then Mavis, an ex-professional dancer, comes along and offers them the challenge of a charity function to perform at. With just a month to rehearse a routine, their relationships as well as dancing skills begin to take on new developments.
Usually, when a play is being performed in the West End, the rights to perform it anywhere else are refused. However, The Players Theatre Company actually applied and were given the rights to perform the show over 2 years ago before the West End show was even announced. This means that the company can, indeed, perform the show putting them in the unique position of being the only am dram company in the country who are legally allowed to perform the play. This is something that Julie Robertson, founder of the The Players, originally The New Empire Players, is thrilled about as this is a play she has been wanting to produce for a very long time and is clearly having a lot of fun directing.
Julie chuckles as she tells me, “There are some really great characters in this play. It’s funny because there’s so much in it that I can relate to, having directed am dram for so many years. There are things that happen in the show that have happened at practically every rehearsal over the years. I keep saying to the cast, ‘Remember when we did this?’” She confesses that it was difficult when a cast member had to drop out and up until a few weeks ago, was still looking to cast one more role but is now over the moon that the part of Mavis has been taken by local drama and dance teacher, Michelle Taylor, with the part of nervous housewife, Andy, being played by local singer, Louise Kempson, who is returning to the stage just five months after giving birth to her gorgeous baby son, Owen.
Michelle is also choreographing the show and as a teacher of dance, albeit mostly with children these days, she says, “There are lots of similarities to how teaching dance is in this show. It is so true to real life - I’m pretty much just doing what I do in the studio!” One of her biggest challenges is trying to keep the steps as simple as possible because - just like the play - there are a few that some of the cast find a bit tricky.
I went along to one of their rehearsals to find out just what makes their latest production so special. Stepping Out was written by Richard Harris, who also wrote Outside Edge and The Business of Murder amongst others. He also wrote for tv shows such as The Sweeney, Hazell and Shoestring. The popular film of the play was released in 1991, which starred Liza Minnelli and gave Julie Walters a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
It is set in a north London church hall, where a disparate group of locals from varying backgrounds, all go along to enjoy tap dancing lessons; initially as more of a social occasion rather than for learning and real dancing skills; but then Mavis, an ex-professional dancer, comes along and offers them the challenge of a charity function to perform at. With just a month to rehearse a routine, their relationships as well as dancing skills begin to take on new developments.
Usually, when a play is being performed in the West End, the rights to perform it anywhere else are refused. However, The Players Theatre Company actually applied and were given the rights to perform the show over 2 years ago before the West End show was even announced. This means that the company can, indeed, perform the show putting them in the unique position of being the only am dram company in the country who are legally allowed to perform the play. This is something that Julie Robertson, founder of the The Players, originally The New Empire Players, is thrilled about as this is a play she has been wanting to produce for a very long time and is clearly having a lot of fun directing.
Julie chuckles as she tells me, “There are some really great characters in this play. It’s funny because there’s so much in it that I can relate to, having directed am dram for so many years. There are things that happen in the show that have happened at practically every rehearsal over the years. I keep saying to the cast, ‘Remember when we did this?’” She confesses that it was difficult when a cast member had to drop out and up until a few weeks ago, was still looking to cast one more role but is now over the moon that the part of Mavis has been taken by local drama and dance teacher, Michelle Taylor, with the part of nervous housewife, Andy, being played by local singer, Louise Kempson, who is returning to the stage just five months after giving birth to her gorgeous baby son, Owen.
Michelle is also choreographing the show and as a teacher of dance, albeit mostly with children these days, she says, “There are lots of similarities to how teaching dance is in this show. It is so true to real life - I’m pretty much just doing what I do in the studio!” One of her biggest challenges is trying to keep the steps as simple as possible because - just like the play - there are a few that some of the cast find a bit tricky.
L-R: Louise Kempson, Phoebe Allan, Theresa Young, Craig Phoenix, Jenni Young, Michelle Taylor, Jenny Hitchcock, Lynne Young & Zena Grahame
One character who stands out from the crowd is Geoffrey, the only man in the show, played by Craig Phoenix. Craig's role is that of a shy widower but who is actually a quietly confident tapper. Craig admits, with a grin, that being the only chap in the show, is really no hardship as all the girls are such good fun. Each of the characters in the show have their own background story with the play also introducing us to Lynne, a nurse who works in the geriatric unit played by Jenny Hitchcock; Dorothy, who spends most of her time looking after her elderly mother, played by Lynne Young; Maxine, a brash, former pro dancer and step mum, played by Phoebe Allan; Sylvia, who’s a bit of a chav, played by Jenni Young; Rosie, the class clown, played by Theresa Young and Vera, who’s rather OCD and a bit of a snob, played by Zena Grahame. Last but certainly not least is Mrs Fraser, the sarcastic pianist, who is played by Chris Playle.
Watching the cast during their rehearsal, I can see that this play looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun and, with the added appeal of knowing that if you don’t get a chance to see the West End version, you can see it in Southend for a fraction of the price and no train fare, you’d be mad not to grab a ticket!
Tickets can be purchased online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135.
Kim Tobin
Watching the cast during their rehearsal, I can see that this play looks like it’s going to be a lot of fun and, with the added appeal of knowing that if you don’t get a chance to see the West End version, you can see it in Southend for a fraction of the price and no train fare, you’d be mad not to grab a ticket!
Tickets can be purchased online at www.southendtheatres.org.uk or call the box office on 01702 351135.
Kim Tobin
Watch the cast in rehearsal below....