FAME

A new production of the musical that ‘lives forever’

Bill Kenwright presents FAME – THE MUSICAL

Directed and Choreographed by Gary Lloyd

The Bristol Hippodrome

Tuesday 27^th – Saturday 31^st May

“You got big dreams. You want  fame?

Well fame costs.

And right here is where you start paying in sweat” 

Are you old enough to remember the 1980s TV series Fame? Well I admit it now. I am and I was glued to every episode of singing, dancing, acting and music – leg warmers and all. And now we have the chance to do it all over again!

Based on the 1980s Oscar winning musical film and subsequent TV series, this 21st Century production FAME – THE MUSICAL is set in 2014 at the High School for Performing Arts New York, where iPads are ‘in’ but leg warmers are almost non-existent.

Just like the TV programme and the hit film before it, young talented hopefuls undertake the journey of their lives. Ambition, triumph, heartbreak and romance conspire to steer them off course, and the pressure is too much for some. But these kids are determined to find fame and ‘live forever’.

STORY SYNOPSIS

At the start of the show we see star-struck wannabes auditioning for the Performing Arts school. Successful applicants work on various disciplines of the performing arts; acting, dancing, singing and music, each of which the relevant teacher claims is “the hardest profession in the world”. As well as the arts, students also need to achieve a set academic level, which presents its own challenges. Star dancer Tyrone is threatened from exclusion from the festival as he’s failed his sophomore English assignment, but the show goes on and the second act opens with a showcase of talents taking part in the festival.

We follow the progress of the adolescent students along with their romances and heartbreaks until graduation.

MUSIC

There is no orchestra, but music is supplied by a great band above stage, including drummer and guitarists.

MY HIGHLIGHTS

• Perhaps predictably, the musical number which really stood out for me was ‘Fame’, performed by Carmen (Jodie Steele) and company.
• Sarah Harlington who plays Serena Katz demonstrates a very pretty voice in “Let’s Play a Love Scene”
• Molly Stewart captivated the audience with her amusing rendition of “Mabel’s Prayer”, which was met with a huge round of applause.
• The strict English teacher Miss Sherman was convincingly portrayed by Landi Oshinowoctor
• Tyrone and the students performed an impressive modern street number, “Dancin’ on the Sidewalk”. Last night strobe lights flashed and pounding bass shook the theatre. We were in a box and the vibration was so strong it seemed entirely possible that the door might be rattled off it’s hinges!
• During a dance practice Tyrone Jackson (Alex Thomas) struggles with a classic ballet move. With every part of his tall, slender body rippling with wiry muscles, “Blacks can’t cut ballet” he states. Yeah right! His range of dancing was amazing.
• Some great dancing and impossibly high straddle jumps.
• Fabulous finale with a good helping of the ‘FAME’ song, some great dancing and audience participation.

AGE SUITABILITY

When Tyrone Jackson, the tall, wiry, street dancer finds the ballet class too straight for his tastes, he feigns energetic humping of his partner while his teacher’s back is turned. Quite amusing and I suspect my children were too young to understand it and it went right over their heads, as they haven’t asked me any awkward questions yet!

THE VERDICTS

FAME

Tuesday 27th – Saturday 31^st May

Evenings at 7.30 pm

at 2.30 pm on Wed, Thu & Sat

Tickets: £12.90  – £41.40

Concessions available

www.famethemusical.co.uk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASpW9fIsl1Q

OTHER SHOW REVIEWS ON PRACTICALLY PERFECT MUMS

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake

Robin Cousins’ ICE

Dirty Dancing

West Side Story

Happy Days

Evita

Starlight Express

Joseph

Cats

Cinderella

White Christmas

DISCLOSURE: I RECEIVED TICKETS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS REVIEW. ALL OPINIONS ARE OUR OWN.