Satin 'n' Steel. To 30 April.

Nottingham/Bolton

SATIN N' STEEL
by Amanda Whittington

Nottingham Playhouse To 12 March
7.45pm. Mat 5th March 3.45pm
Audio described 8, 9 March.
BSL Signed 11 March.
then Octagon Theatre Bolton
6-30 April 2005
Mon-Sat 7.30pm Mat 16, 27 April 2pm
Audio-described 20 April
BSL Signed 27 April
Post-show discussion 12 April
Runs 2hr 10min. One interval

TICKETS: 0115 9419419
www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk (Nottingham)
01204 520661
www.octagonbolton.co.uk (Bolton)
Review: Jen Mitchell 2 March 2005

A look at the not so glamorous side of showbiz, taking us from Rainworth Miners Welfare to the dizzy heights of Butlins.Nottingham Playhouse once again demonstrates its commitment to new writing with this piece by local writer Amanda Whittington, that started life as a 10 minute short in 2002.

The promise of a sparkling singing career is enough to convince Tina White to give up her job as an overlocker and join Vince Steel after coming second in a karaoke competition. What follows is a bitter sweet journey through the next six years as the promise of real success is only the next gig away.

The atmosphere of the local clubs is captured perfectly, even to the extent of Vince having to stand on a chair to put his trousers on in the dressing room (or corridor, as is pointed out) to prevent them picking up dirt from the floor.

A cleverly put together montage of circuit standards takes us rapidly through wedding receptions, birthdays, clubs and pubs on to the height of the duo's success at Butlins, where they even get an executive chalet as part of the deal. It's also the point at which the love story develops.

Alongside the couple's struggle for success in the world of showbiz, their struggle for personal fulfilment is equally frustrating. Vince is unable to commit to Tina (who by this time has become Teena Satin); she wants a full-time, full-on relationship. His inability to remain faithful, alongside his confusions around his own sexuality raises the question of whether his relationship with Tina was all part of the act or a desire for some normality' in his own life.

I overheard an audience member commenting on how un P.C.' it all was. Quite frankly there's nothing P.C. about these places. I know, I've been! The strength of the cast, albeit two actors, is evident not only in their ability to hold the audience throughout the whole two hours, but their utterly convincing performances as a singing duo - they'd be a huge hit at a Royal Variety Performance.

Vince Steel: Norman Pace
Teena Satin: Sara Poyzer

Director: Esther Richardson
Designer: Helen Davies
Lighting: Richard G Jones
Composer/Musical Director: Stuart Briner

2005-03-08 14:00:28