I REALLY enjoyed the enthusiastic opening of A Chorus Line at The Gordon Craig Theatre Stevenage. Set in a New York Broadway Theatre during 1975, it tells the story of hopeful dancers auditioning for eight exclusive places in a show. We glimpse into thei

I REALLY enjoyed the enthusiastic opening of A Chorus Line at The Gordon Craig Theatre Stevenage.

Set in a New York Broadway Theatre during 1975, it tells the story of hopeful dancers auditioning for eight exclusive places in a show. We glimpse into their lives hearing their hopes and aspirations as the casting director Zak (Jack Edwards) questions them, and watch as some struggle to meet the exacting dance sequence, eventually to be dismissed.

The stage, designed as a mirrored dance studio, was fantastic, allowing us to view the dancers easily as they crossed the floor, and with such energy!

Nerys Martin as Sheila, an old hand at auditions, who begins to question her career, wondering if it's time to start a dance school, was wonderful. She gave a solid performance as the one who never quite made it. James Rowntree as quiet Paul, whose hopes were shattered by a fall, made me think about the many hopeful dancers whose dreams are never fulfilled. The show certainly had vitality, colour, beautiful choreography and song, along with a great cast. I'm not sure whether the microphones were not turned up enough for some of the singing or if the band was a little too loud in parts, but I couldn't hear some of the voices at times, a minor problem though.

I certainly loved the finale. How on earth did they change costumes so quickly? Full marks for a bright lively show - but I did miss the interval, thank goodness I took an ice-cream in with me!

Maureen Millard