Arcadians step up to the mark

STEPPING OUT by Richard Harris is set in a dowdy community hall some time in the 1980s. It gives an insight into the lives of a group of women and one man who meet each week for tap dance classes. There s loud Sylvia (Mary Driver) and her friend Rose (Jo

STEPPING OUT by Richard Harris is set in a dowdy community hall some time in the 1980s. It gives an insight into the lives of a group of women and one man who meet each week for tap dance classes.

There's loud Sylvia (Mary Driver) and her friend Rose (Joanna Trip), both like having a laugh, and shy Andy (Vicky Leadley). Lynne the nurse (Sue Rayner), tarty Maxine (Elizabeth Shaw), and quiet Dorothy (Stephanie Seal) who flings herself into dancing on her one night a week off, together with bumbling Geoffrey (Robert Driver) who doesn't want to offend anyone. They are joined by Vera, beautifully played by Diana Davis, an organiser and cleanliness freak.

Their teacher, Mavis Turner (Sian Spencer) an ex-professional tapper is accompanied by prickly Mrs Fraser at the piano, a dour performance by Margaret Dinmore.

Mavis struggles to get them into step. We hear their problems and see how they change until against all the odds they are invited to take part in a grand charity show! Mavis has faith in them.

The finale is a treat when the former no hopers are transformed into a highly competent chorus line. I never thought they'd make it.

Well done Letchworth Arcadians and all involved in the production at Stevenage Gordon Craig Theatre.

Maureen Millard