STEPPING OUT
by Richard Harris
Directed by Jack Land Noble
Production dates: Monday 21st – Saturday 26th May, 2012
Auditions at the Polish Club, Summer Lane, BARNSLEY
Wednesday 25th January, 2012 at 7:30pm
This warm and immensely funny play enjoyed a highly successful West End run, winning the 1984 Evening Standard Best Comedy Award, before transferring to Broadway and being adapted into a BAFTA-nominated film.
Set in North London, Stepping Out follows the lives of the members of an amateur tap dancing class. Each attending for their own reasons and, at first, treating the classes as social occasions, Harris’ timeless ensemble-driven play is an endearing tale of how determination, friendship and camaraderie can shape even the most bashful into proud performers.
Mavis, a professional dancer who didn’t quite make it past the chorus line, now runs her own class in the local church hall for anyone in the area. A mixed and otherwise incompatible group of seven women and one man meet weekly, each struggling to conquer either their inhibitions or dance technique, or both!
Then the day comes when Mavis breaks the news to the group that they have been invited to perform in front of an audience for a grand charity concert.
With varying degrees of talent and determination, we see how each class member copes with the challenge…but with only a few weeks to learn an impressive tap routine, will they do it in time? Can they make it? Or will they all, literally, fall flat on their faces?!
Stepping Out is, firstly, a play, with the added feature of tap dancing. The characters, with the exception of Mavis, are all beginner tap dancers, so please don’t let a lack of tap experience stop you from auditioning.
For anyone with little or no tap / movement experience, we are simply looking for a keen willingness to learn.
The first several weeks of rehearsal will be dedicated to choreography. All trial by error. However, if cast, you’ll be asked to provide a reliable pair of tap shoes.
PLEASE NOTE:
Due to a relatively short rehearsal period, please do not audition for Stepping Out if you are involved in the Lamproom Theatre Company’s April production of Caught in the Net or the Lamproom Musical Theatre Company’s May production of Hello Dolly, or, indeed, any other production which takes place prior to Stepping Out. As Stepping Out is a strict ensemble piece, with the added feature of having to learn several dance routines as a company, full rehearsal attendance will be essential.
For full character specifications and audition pieces go to the Stepping Out page
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the director on 07791485041