October 2014 - Stepping Out

Real-life dance teacher Sarah Fox has her work cut out as Mavis, who tries to change rhythmically-challenged coal lumps into diamond tap-dancing superstars. It’s always ominous when a really hard tap sequence is preceded with the words “It’s not too complicated”.

Actually, it’s choreographer Aggie Gryszel who is put through her paces. Her clever technique was to teach her students the sensational dance finale first. Only then did they learn to dance badly which is what we see at the start.

By that logic, the hilariously uncoordinated and nervous Geoffrey and Andy-long for Ann-played by Ross Bannister and Fran Rooker are the most talented dancers.

It’s the 1980s so big hair, leggings and leg warmers are compulsory. Andrea Howard as Vera also makes sure the braver women in the audience are out buying silver jumpsuits with matching shoes sometime soon. Edwina Gascoyne is wisecracking Maxine. Having to cope with her teenage stepson, ‘Wonder Boy’, she’d rather give the proceeds from Save the Children charity gala to Save the Parents. Amusingly, Edwina’s real daughter, Charlotte Gascoyne, plays the rather more sensible and grown-up Lynne in convincing fashion. Adele Timmons is sex-obsessed Sylvia. She mercilessly teases the only man, Geoffrey, but she’s a softy really.

Adele’s dad Ian Walker expertly directs this fine show. Judith Wade, Jenn Aspinall and Marjory El-Afif as Mrs Fraser, Dorothy and Rose complete the excellent dectet of performers.

When brother and sister Martin and Hilda move into their new house they start a neighbourhood watch scheme that takes the idea of protection a little too far. Alan Ayckbourn’s 2011 play is presented by the Tudor Players at the Library Theatre.

It is a hilarious look at how fear can drive us to extremes and damage the idea of freedom within our society.

Set in Martin and Hilda's living room, taking place over several months, Ayckbourn creates an ever increasing farcical but still believable look at a group of people who believe they know best how to solve society’s ills.

Ross Bannister as Martin delivers a wonderful performance in the lead role. He is assured and funny and has a natural stage presence. Also excellent is Siobhan Daley as his sister in a performance that gets evermore menacing as the evening progresses.

Perhaps best of all though is Jenn Aspinall as Magda, a put-upon, beaten wife who eventually moves in with Martin and Hilda for protection. Hers is a performance that takes us out of farce territory and gives us a hint of the real tragedy behind the laughter. At one point she delivers a monologue that held the entire audience and gave us a moment of real sadness and power. Also likeable are Sarah Fox as Amy, a sexually rampant wife who eventually snares Martin, and Kevin Cheeseright as Rod, a right wing 'string 'em up' nut who also provides much hilarity throughout the night. It has to be said that all of the cast perform well in a very likeable Ayckbourn piece.

The evening is full of laughter and the Tudor Players can be proud of producing a wonderful night.