Theatre Review: Fame (Stage Experience 2022)

AD: This Press Night Review refers to the August 2022 Stage Experience Amateur Production of Fame at the Alexandra Theatre*

Every year the Alexandra Theatre opens it’s doors to some of the brightest young talent in the Midlands to put on a full-scale professional performance for a limited run. And it’s always brilliant. So it’s almost poetic that the first Stage Experience after a two-year break, is the tale of fame-hungry students, craving the limelight at all costs. Lighting up the sky – and the stage – are the kids from Fame.

You can read about the 2019 Stage Experience show Singin’ In The Rain here!

“You want fame? Well fame costs”

Fame the Musical is based on the 1980s film, and follows a group of students at New York’s High School for the Performing Arts. Everyone has seen that iconic split jump from the top of a New York yellow taxi cab right? What child growing up in the 80s didn’t try that off the coffee table at least once?

The stage show was written over thirty years ago, yet it explores issues that still confront teenagers today. Prejudice. Substance abuse, Body image. Sexuality. Some things sadly don’t change. In fact, this production is less about glitter and legwarmers, and more about hard work and struggle. It’s also surprisingly gritty.

We have a large cast of characters, each striving to become stars of tomorrow. Each has their own talent, and with it, their own hang-ups. Fame lights up the stage with its soundtrack and choreography. There’s a mix of dance styles, from latin and hip-hop to modern and ballet, all executed to perfection. The high energy opener “Hard Work” sets the tone for the following two hours. Not all of the songs are memorable, although I defy you not to walk out of the theatre humming “Bring on Tomorrow”.

The young talented cast are magnificent. It’s hard to believe that this production has only been rehearsing for two weeks. They give a true professional performance. It helps that the age of the cast largely reflects the age of the characters they are playing. After all, no-one wants to see a 30 year old playing a teenager. Grease, I’m looking at you. (Although not you Olivia Newton-John, (RIP) – forever young.)

Show the world that I can make it

Laura Byran steals the show as feisty Carmen, with a confidence that commands the audience. Carmen is one of the pivotal characters, and Laura captures her decline with a heart-breaking performance. Her vocals are strong, particularly during the emotional “In L.A”. Mason Daw is charming as Nick, as is Freya Hancox as awkward romantic Serena. “Let’s Play A Love Scene” is a soundtrack highlight with a playful heartwarming reprise in the second act.

Bradley Mutizwa’s Tyrone is passionate and angry; he fully deserves the rapturous applause after his energetic performance of “Dancing on the Sidewalk”. I enjoyed his battle with strict teacher Miss Sherman (Molly Ann Bache) as he struggles to hide his illiteracy. Bache gives an impeccable rendition of “These Are My Children” and a perfect duet with Molly Hopkins as Miss Bell on “Teacher’s Argument”. Cree Henson also excels as Schlomo, particularly during the bittersweet but uplifting finale. This is a true ensemble show though. At times there are so many performers on stage that it’s difficult to pick out individual talent. These scenes do allow everyone a moment in the spotlight with enthusiasm rarely found in a professional performance.

The split level set is minimal but effective, letting the performers shine. Sadly for 80s kids like me, there is a disappointing lack of a yellow taxi cab for anyone to jump off. At times the sound levels are a little off, with both vocals and dialogue drowned out by the orchestra, led by Chris Newton. This is particularly challenging during the first number when characters are being introduced and the scene is set.

Always in charge, playing a role

As a production – and absolutely not a reflection of this cast – I felt that some of the heavy topics were skipped over too lightly, and could do with a little updating in parts. I feel a little uncomfortable about the character of Mabel, excellently played here by Eden Wedgbrow, teetering between binge-eating and starvation. There’s also some outdated terminology used around homosexuality – if the time period was clearly established then maybe this wouldn’t be so noticeable. It’s also a shame that the characters of Carmen and Jose weren’t cast with a little more authenticity, although Laura Byram and Louis Goode handle the Spanish dialogue expertly.

The beauty of Stage Experience is that it encourages not only young performers, but a young audience. Some may be experiencing live theatre for the first time, to support friends and family. Judging by the buzz in the theatre, some lifelong theatre-goers will hopefully be created. Naturally, the show ends with the titular song, which has the audience whooping and clapping along with the cast.

Fame (Stage Experience 2022) is at the Alexandra Theatre on a limited run only. You can book tickets here – but be quick as the final show is Saturday 27th August!