A Chorus Line

A Chorus Line is a musical that tells the stories of seventeen different dancers at the final recall audition for a Broadway show in the 1970s. The director, Zach (Adam Cooper), assisted by choreographer, Larry (Ashley-Jordan Packer), gets each dancer to talk about themselves rather than perform, and to tell the truth about why and how they are where they are today. It explores the separate stories of each dancer and allows the audience to see them as individuals, rather than a chorus.

The location of New York City is set from simply walking into the auditorium and hearing the sounds of a busy New York street. One thing I liked most about the design of this show was the open set design, being able to see into the wings. Its emptiness emphasises the size of the stage, as if in a rehearsal room, as well as seeing the technical equipment offstage. At one point, the musicians are revealed at the back of stage mid-song, which was a little confusing, as I feel they should have either been in sight for the whole performance, or only revealed at the end.

Even though A Chorus Line is famously an ensemble musical, the performer that stands out to me is Manuel Pacific in the role of Paul San Marco. His monologue in the latter half of the show takes you on a journey in itself, and I admire any performer that can hold an audience the way Pacific does. I loved being able to connect with the character of Paul, and seeing his vulnerability as he breaks down in front of Zach. Their hug is so emotionally charged that I could feel it in my chest. This scene was certainly one of the stand-out moments of the musical.

Another stand out scene is the finale, in a bittersweet dream-like ending, seeing all auditionees dancing together in golden tailcoats and top hats. The bright lighting design of this scene is so vivid and memorable, being able to see the lighting rigs above and at the side of stage, moving up and down in action, lights on the audience as well as confetti and pyrotechnics. It makes the犀利士
finale as glitzy and glamorous as possible where the stage is filled with a harsh, bright gold. It’s heart-warming to see everyone actually performing together, rather than auditioning, however is purposefully difficult to pick out individual cast members, reminding you that they are only seen together, as a chorus, and never individually appreciated.

For me, the only negative of this production is the pacing of the first half. They move through the stories of different characters so quickly that it’s difficult to connect with any one individual character. Instead, you simply recognise them as seventeen nervous dancers at an audition, making it uncertain as to who or what to be focusing on. I think this is justifiable in the way that the audience are initially supposed to see them as dancers auditioning for the chorus, but as the story progresses, we connect with different individuals and by the end of the show, it is somewhat sinister seeing them as a group only meant for the background.

The show is a love letter to the ensemble of every performance. Not only does A Chorus Line celebrate and entertain, but also educates the audience of the vulnerability, perseverance, determination, desperation and hard-work of every single dancer and performer.

This performance was reviewed on Monday 8^th July 2024 at the Curve Theatre, Leicester.

A Chorus Line is on a national tour, booking currently until 5^th October 2024. For more details and tickets, please visit:  https://achoruslinetour.com/

***** stars 

Harrison Horsley

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Photo credit: Marc Brenner