15/05/2019
Opening night tonight! Don’t miss out - It hits the West End later this year, so we are blessed to be able to see it at our local theatre. Book tickets now!
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I had the privilege of catching the dress rehearsal for SADOS’s production of Fame - The Musical last night. I was not disappointed as I was treated to a superb evening of high octane music, dance, fun and drama.
For those not in the know it is based on the much-loved 1980 teen musical film, described as “bittersweet but uplifting,” the show follows the lives of a diverse group of fame-seeking young students at New York’s High School for the Performing Arts, shining the spotlight on the highs, lows, romance and heartbreaks they encounter along the way. Light-hearted and filled with laugh-out-loud moments in the main, it also touches on darker issues, including prejudice, identity, literacy, sexuality and substance abuse.
The show explodes onto the stage in a burst of flashing lights, dancers in action all over the set, and hardly pauses for breath until the final number. The choreography was clever, dynamic and very 80’s. Samuel Michael John Collins who also played José 'Joe' Vegas the Spanish acting student who is the comic of the show, was clever to create the feel of the original film and 1980’s vibe. Some of the lifts in the dance numbers were breath taking!
The set included stairs and gallery with the clever projection of the faces of the students at the school. This added to the overall power of the show with clever graphics and lighting effects. Ingenious props helping to set the various scenes include a rotating blackboard and stage block that transforms into a ballet mirror, and battered high school locker and library, whilst desks and chairs glided around the stage propelled by the cast members kept the scene changes swift and entertaining. I commend the backstage crew for their hard work and fast moves throughout the show.
Among the stand-out songs are Hard Work (ensemble) and Amber Sinclairs’ wonderfully soulful rendition of These Are My Children as Miss Sherman. Matilda Hoyles-Simpson who played Mabel Washington, a dancer and singer who is overweight and trying to lose weight but can't resist food sang Mabel’s Prayer with true talent and comic touches. Carmen played by Dominique Spinks was excellent, a singing, dancing, acting, a triple-threat dance major, sassy, confident and determined to make it big. Carman is obsessed with fame and confident in her abilities, and so was I. In LA had me in tears, such a powerful song sung with huge emotion.
Charlie Russell brought a sensitivity to Schlomo a quiet, saintly classical musician, especially when he played live on stage and sang with Carmen Bring On Tomorrow. Teachers Ms Ball played by Lauren Bullock and Mr Sheinkopf by Paul Coleman were all well cast, and they delivered confident competent performances. The gentle motherly Mrs Myers (Jane Moss) who encourages her students despite their incomprehension of what she is trying to teach and their fixation of sex, was hilarious and Can't Keep It Down sung by Joe and the students in her class were so funny.
Louis Iddenden-Rhodes played Tyrone Jackson and his rap number was brilliant. As was his love interest Iris played by Molly Smith who was just lovely to watch as she lit up the stage with her dancing. Erin Black played the comedic role of Grace 'Lambchops' Lamb. As a rock chick drummer, she added to the lighter moments of the show with skill. Billy Heron (Goody) also added to the laugh out loud moments with his sarcastic yet sensitive portrayal of her bandmate. Abbie Schweikhardt played Serena Katz as the shy actress, confused about love and life. Her song Think Of Meryl Streep was wonderful, with clever projected graphics which added another dimension. The dancers and students in the ensemble worked hard all night, the dance numbers, the singing and acting was a very good level. A few more smiles I’m sure will appear as they grow more confidence now that the dress rehearsal is under their belt.
Teacher's Argument a number sung by Miss Bell (Lauren) and Miss Sherman (Amber) was a secure, strong duet, their voices blended effortlessly.
The band under Karl Gernert was superb bringing the whole show together with talented musicians that made the whole theatre swing. And, of course, there’s that unforgettable theme tune, which will have the audience at The South Holland Centre on its feet by the end of the night. Very well done to the director and producers of this frenetic, entertaining show. You deserve huge audiences and I will come back on Saturday to see it all again. Have a great run.
Fame the Musical is at The South Holland Centre Spalding until Saturday.
Jules Jones
