IMPOSSIBLE TO LEAVE WITHOUT A SMILE |
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) by Richard Harris Director: Colin McColl Choreographer: Sandra Rasmussen Auckland Theatre Company The TelstraClear Season at SKYCITY Theatre, Auckland From 12 Jun 2010 to 3 Jul 2010 Reviewed by Joanna Davies, 13 Jun 2010 |
It’s hard to drag yourself out of a warm, cosy house on dreary Auckland nights, but well worth it if you’re off to see Richard Harris’s Stepping Out. Auckland Theatre Company’s production is tight, pacy and full of laughs; a real crowd pleaser. And opening night’s crowd was huge.
The show’s tale is of a class of 8 seemingly incompatible people who gather together for beginners’ tap dancing lessons under the patient guidance of Mavis (Sandra Rasmussen), and to the piano accompaniment of a somewhat temperamental Mrs Fraser (Penny Dodd).
As the story unfolds and they work towards a number for the ubiquitous Christmas in the Park, more is revealed about their lives outside the community hall. And there are some surprises.
The script has been cleverly altered to place the action in Auckland’s North Shore. John Parker’s local hall set is instantly familiar thanks to the flyer-filled notice board in the foyer and Her Majesty’s portrait hanging over the piano.
Under Colin McColl’s direction no one cast member demands more attention than the others. Their patter is fast-paced and realistic with delicious insults, teasing and banter making up most of the exchanges. There’s a sense of real rapport and the audience is in no doubt everyone loves being part of the show.
No performer steals the show. They all own it, whether playing the dance-loving young nurse Lynne (Olivia Tennet), Vera the control-and-clean-freak housewife (Suzanne Paul) or Dorothy, the bike-reliant,uncoordinated WINZ worker (Hera Dunleavy) ... Even the dancing janitor (Adam Gardiner) shines. And those who buy a ticket just to see Suzanne Paul on stage will love her.
As for the grand finale – I won’t give anything away, but will say that it’s impossible to leave without a smile afterwards. In fact, I’d see the show again purely to experience the magic a second time.
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Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald);