Fame the Musical at the New Victoria Theatre Review
Fame – The Musical
New Victoria Theatre, Woking
19-24 May 2014
Reviewed by Christine Charlesworth
On Monday 19 May I took my daughter to see Fame – The Musical at New Victoria Theatre, Woking. We had both enjoyed watching the successful six-season TV series in the late 1980’s, had ‘Fame’ on CD & DVD and therefore were really looking forward to this new Fame musical.
As usual the popular New Victoria Theatre was buzzing with activity when we arrived. Although there were many people of middle age range I was interested to note that there seemed a high proportion of young people, girls in particular, all anxious to get to their seats and very eager to see the performance.
On the way to the theatre we had been discussing the fashion of the time, remembering legwarmers in particular which had been brought into fashion following the success of the 1980 musical film by Alan Parker and which the series had been based. However, this completely new production of Fame, directed by Gary Lloyd, has a new script and the storyline is set firmly in 2014. We therefore had no legwarmers, no strange hairstyles, but there were mobile phones and iPads, plus a live band set high on an elevated platform against a backdrop of a New York skyline, above the performing area centre stage. This band produced such a vibrant sound that the audience almost felt they were part of the show and at one time, during the song “Dancin’ on the Sidewalk” the whole floor of the theatre seemed to vibrate. It was really good to have live music but, unfortunately, sometimes this seemed to drown the singers and in particular each of the solos by Tyrone (Alex Thomas).
The set, designed by Diego Pitarch, was vibrant with two, cleverly designed, stepped cubes which could be moved around to form a solid section, seating or two completely different areas with different aspects, depending on which way they turned. There was also a very large mirror which was used to great advantage in the rehearsal scenes. Lighting by Tim Oliver was strong, both in design and brightness, and some of the effects produced were excellent.
The dance numbers are superb, well choreographed, full of high energy and brilliant synchronisation. Alex Thomas plays a believable street-dancer, Tyrone, with a body and legs seemingly made from bendy rubber. Both the vocals and acting seemed to reach a higher plane in the second half of the show with ‘Fame’ sung by the whole company at the end of the first half, making promises of things to come. There is some wonderful singing, in particular Jodie Steele as Carmen Diaz, whose character was believable and her voice soared above all others. Other notable performances came from Sarah Harlington as Serena Katz and Harry Bleumanau as Schlomo Metzenbaum, while Joseph Giacone gave a really charismatic performance as Joe Vegas. Mabel played by Molly Stewart was a great comedy character with such lines as “If you can’t make me thin, make them fat” in the ‘Mabel’s Prayer’ number.
Director and Choreographer Gary Lloyd has brought together a very good up-dated version of Fame but perhaps, having done that, it would have been better to call the production ‘FAME 2014’.
The show opened at Wimbledon Theatre and will be touring the country until the end of July. It is an easy to follow story, full of great songs and dancing packed full of energy. At the end of the performance the whole audience stood to enthusiastically join in the finale with the cast.
A good evening out if you can catch it on tour.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £12.90 to £41.40 (plus £2.85 transaction fee).
For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 871 7645.
New Victoria Theatre, The Ambassadors, Peacocks Centre, Woking, Surrey, GU21 6GQ
