FAME. Tour to 30 April.
Tour
FAME, THE MUSICAL
by Joze Fernandez, lyrics by Jaques Levy music by Steve Margoshes conceived and developed by David de Silva
Tour to 30 April 2005
Runs 2 hrs One interval
Review Hazel Brown 15 February 2005 at Lighthouse, Poole
Youthful raw energy, great dancing, loud music but slim storyline.For someone who was glued to the television when Fame was a series on the small screen, the slim and sketchy storyline in this musical is scarcely satisfying, but youthful raw energy and great dancing carry the show. The singing is good, too, but the live and amplified music is loud and brash.
A group of young hopefuls audition for a place at the Fame Academy, the New York High School of Performing Arts, in the early 1980's. The show follows the fortunes of ten of them and how they interact with the teachers. The talented young musician Schlomo, whose father is a famous musician, is trying to forge his own future; the dedicated ballet dancer, Iris, finds wider expression; the overweight dancer Mabel finds her voice; Tyrone, the oversexed brilliant street dancer, finally knuckles down and learns to read as well as perfecting his dancing skills; the comedian Joe broadens his acting skills.
Nick, the would be actor, finally unbends and finds inspiration in life and love. He's chased by Serena, the working class Jewish girl from the Bronx. There's also Carmen, the ambitious, star-struck dancer who flees to Hollywood to find fame and fortune, but ends broken on the rack that is the pursuit of fame. All sing and dance their way through the highs and lows of their year at the school, watched over by the three older performers, the teachers, who struggle and fall out over the various merits and demerits of the students, Tyrone in particular.
The dancing and singing has been updated to include modern rap and urban culture, and the set, with its various balconies and revolve, is scruffy, but has the authentic feel of a run-down school. The set piece songs, particularly those between Nick and Serena are well sung and the finale, when the dead Carmen returns to lead the exuberant dancing and singing of the title song, complete with yellow cab to prance over, has the younger members of the audience on their feet, whooping, clapping and dancing.
On the whole, this is a feel-good show that sends the audience home humming the main tune and marveling at the energy and style of the dancing.
The Actors: Joe (Jose Vegas: James Haggie; Serena Katz: Rachel Hale; Nick Piazza: Michael Howell
The Dancers: Mabel Washington: Delia Harris; Tyrone Jackson: Craig Stein: Iris Kelly: Lisa Ritchie;
Carmen Diaz: Leila Benn Harris
The Musicians: Schlomo Metzenbaum: Angus MacMillan; Goodman (Goody) King: Giovanni Spanoõ; Grace (Lambchops) Lamb: Helen Siveter (on the night I saw the show, Kelly Ewings played this part)
The Teachers: Mr Myers: Mark Holden; Miss Serman: Janet Kumah; Mr Scheinkopf: David Peyton-Bruhl; Miss Bell: Dawn Buckland
The Ensemble: Emrhys Cooper, Kelly Ewins, Emma Green, Fiona Jenae, David Lyons, Nicholas Norman
Swings: Lizzi Gee, Gemma Atkins, Tim Newman, William Peaco Jr.
Director: Karen Bruce
Designer: Adrian Rees
Lighting: Adrian Barnes
Sound: Gareth Owen
Musical Director: Richard Beadle
Musical Supervisor: David Beer
Originator: David de Silva
Director of original West End Production: Runar Borge
Choreographer of original West Production: Lars Bethke
2005-02-28 09:34:35