Superbooty at the Epstein Theatre Liverpool Review
Superbooty
Epstein Theatre, Liverpool
17-19 February 2017
Reviewed by Lindsey Davies
A lovely start to the New Year, a trip to the beautifully intimate Epstein Theatre in the heart of Hanover Street, Liverpool. On street parking is available at a cost, and the theatre is also convenient to public transport routes. The theatre itself was built in 1913 and reopened its doors after a £1.2 million refurbishment back in May 2012. The theatre holds 380 people seated in comfortable seating with adequate leg room. The Grade ll building is dramatic inside with its bold colours and appearance and steeped in history.
So, onto the show, I didn’t really know what to expect other than a super hero who obviously would have a role in saving the world’s very existence. The family aimed comedy written and directed by Michael Chapman who also stars as the downtrodden dance teacher, Debbie De Freitas, aka Superbooty centres around a dance school struggling with mounting debts ultimately leading to redundancies for Debbie and contemporary dance teacher Cliff Clifton (Bradley Thompson). Cliff doesn’t take this very well and turns to the dark side, helping Dr Bernie Demeanour (Lesley Butler) in her quest to win the dance competition and freeze all the competitors’ feet, removing their funk.
The show is littered with some awesome dancing from an extremely talented group of youngsters from Anamal Dance Company. I definitely think there were some very proud parents whooping and cheering in the audience. Some of the songs that accompanied the dancing were quite random but certainly didn’t take away from the overall humour and concept.
A special mention for Lewis Pryor who in my opinion cemented the whole show together with his seamless performance, embracing his change from 15 year old lovesick teenager to 16 year old super hero, Anti Freeze, who joins forces with his mum Superbooty to save the day and defeat the baddy. The show was supplemented by other characters such as Michelle Burley (Hayley Hampson), Frankie Funkenstein (Harry Barnes) Keith Burley (Tom Burroughs) Shannon Staples / Terri Tuck (Kate Croxley) and Jordan Davies who was apparently playing himself, although until I Googled him I had no idea who is was!
The show was fun, had a few double entendres thrown in for the adults and in places was daft, but overall it worked. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t an Oscar winning production but it did allow a great bunch of talented actors and dancers to display their prowess.
Well done to all involved.
Rating: 4/5
Tickets cost from £15 to £17 (booking fees may apply).
Superbooty is at the Epstein Theatre in Liverpool until 19 February 2017. For more information or to book tickets click here or call the box office on 0844 888 4411.
The Epstein Theatre, Hanover House, 85 Hanover Street, Liverpool, L1 3DZ | 0844 888 4411
