Let’s start as we mean to go on – Nick Winston’s heart-stoppingly brilliant 30th anniversary production of Fame the Musical is not just incredibly slick and unbelievably emotional, it is one of the best musical productions that I have seen in many years.
From the opening auditions, where the main characters try their hardest to be accepted into “PA”, the New York High School for the Performing Arts, right through to the final Graduation scene, nothing is left to chance. The choreography is innovative and tight as a drum, the lighting and sound design give the production a gritty reality and the incredible score is played to perfection by the band, under the direction of Dustin Conrad.
The characters who are studying music in “the Fame school” double up as on stage musicians with Schlomo (Simon Anthony) on keyboards, Lambchops (Louisa Beadel) on drums and Goody (Alexander Zane) on trumpet and saxophone.
The dance majors, Iris (Jorgie Porter), Tyrone (Jamal Kane Crawford) and Mabel (Hayley Johnston) are joined, in the stunningly complex dance routines, by ensemble performers Tom Mussel, Ryan Kayode, Rebecca French, Tabitha Camburn and the amazingly acrobatic Morgan Jackson.
The acting class features Nick (Keith Jack), Serena (Molly McGuire), Joe (Albey Brookes) and, Carmen, played, due to the indisposition of Stephanie Rojas, by Daisy Twells. Overseeing proceedings are the faculty heads, Miss Bell (Katie Warsop), Mr Scheinkopf (Graham Hoadly), Mr Myers (Cameron Johnson) and Miss Sherman (Mica Paris).
In such a high quality production, featuring a cast of incredibly talented professionals, it is impossible to pick a highlight, but Daisy Twells deserves special mention for giving the performance of her life as the tragically fame hungry Carmen, and, for the vocal performance of the night, These are My Children gets full marks for the stunning voice of Mica Paris.
Over the years I have had plenty of contact with Fame in all it’s guises. Back in 1980 I was blown away by the Oscar-winning film version, from 1982 to 1984 I could be found every week in front of the TV watching The Kids from Fame and I was even lucky enough to see the stars from the TV show when they visited the UK for a live tour.
Then, in 1995, I attended the UK opening of Fame the Musical at the Cambridge Theatre in London. Little did I know that, all these years later, I would be back, joining in the well-deserved standing ovation, for a production that ticks all the boxes and showcases the kind of talent that deserves real fame.
***** Five Stars