Conceived and
developed by David de Silva
Book by Jose
Fernandez
Music by Steve
Margoshes
Lyrics by Jacques Levy
Directed by Jarrad West
SUPA Productions
Q Theatre, Queanbeyan
to May 26
Reviewed by Len Power
11 May 2018
‘Fame – the Musical’, based on the hit 1980 movie, was first
produced in 1988 in Florida USA and then toured the country. While it never played Broadway, the musical
has been an international hit ever since.
SUPA productions and director, Jarrad West, have given the
show an energetic and colourful production with a young, enthusiastic
cast. They manage to overcome a contrived
script and clichéd characters surprisingly well.
Set in New York’s High School of Performing Arts, we follow
several main characters from arrival to graduation.
There are some good performances amongst the cast. Sophie Edwards is a standout as a believable and
real Serena, particularly with her song, ‘Let’s Play A Love Scene’. ‘Bring On Tomorrow’ is well acted and sung by
Pippin Carroll as Schlomo and Maddy Betts as Carmen. Maddy Betts gets the best number in the show,
‘Fame’, and makes it her own.
Jack Tinga gives a fine characterization as the swaggering,
confident Tyrone and shows his strong dancing skills in ‘Dancin’ On The
Sidewalk’. With her heart-felt and carefully
judged singing of ‘These are My Children’, Janie Lawson overcomes the clichéd character
of a nasty schoolteacher who really has a heart of gold. She also shines with Shell Abdoo as another
teacher with ‘The Teacher’s Argument’.
The numerous other cast members all get their moment to shine.
Jarrad West keeps the show moving at a cracking pace with
well-thought out and swift scene changes.
He wisely puts the main effort into the musical numbers to take our
minds off the predictable script. He is
helped with a good set designed by Chris Zuber, Martin Searles and
himself. Michelle Heine’s choreography
is excellent and she has a cast who can dance it confidently. The costume team of Fiona Leach, Jennie
Norberry and Lucy Jones have given the cast colourful and eye-catching costumes
that gleam in the fine lighting design of Philip Goodwin.
Katrina Tang has done a fine job with musical direction and
the large orchestra play the score very well.
It’s expected that the sound would be loud for this type of musical, but
why are the cast shouting their lines when they seem to be having a normal conversation?
This high-energy production has a lot to admire and this
talented cast ensures that you’ll have a good time.
Len Power’s reviews
are also broadcast on his ‘On Stage’ performing arts radio program on Mondays
and Wednesdays from 3.30pm on Artsound FM 92.7.