Review – Stepping Out – Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne and Tour

If you’re looking for a theatre trip that leaves you smiling as you leave the theatre, Stepping Out is a very safe bet. This production of Richard Harris’s much-loved comedy has plenty of laughs, lots of heart and, of course, a generous helping of tap dancing.

At the centre of the story is Mavis Turner, who runs a weekly tap class for a wonderfully mixed bunch of amateur dancers. They’re far from being a polished troupe when we first meet them, and that’s most of the fun. Everyone has their own personality, their own little worries and their own reasons for turning up each week. As the group works towards a charity performance, friendships develop, confidence grows and the occasional disagreement inevitably appears along the way.

What makes the show so enjoyable is that it never feels like it is trying too hard. There’s a lovely warmth running through the whole thing, and while there are plenty of opportunities for a good laugh, the characters also have enough depth to make you care about what happens to them. It’s easy to recognise a little bit of someone you know in the group – or perhaps even yourself.

The cast work particularly well together, creating the sort of ensemble atmosphere that is essential for a play like this. The individual characters all have their moments, but it is watching the group dynamic that provides much of the enjoyment. There’s a real sense of camaraderie, and the humour feels natural rather than forced. The tap routines are another big plus. Watching the class gradually become more confident gives the show a satisfying sense of progression, and there’s something particularly cheerful about seeing a group of people who are initially rather hesitant finding their rhythm. By the time the dancing really gets going, you’re firmly on their side and willing them to succeed.

Karen Hauer is particularly well suited to the role of Mavis. Her dance background is obvious, but she also brings a friendly, down-to-earth quality to the character. She feels like someone who genuinely wants to get the best out of her pupils rather than simply showing them how it’s done. Lucy Benjamin is also a great addition to the cast as Vera – wonderfully rude, constantly interfering and never short of an opinion. The full cast includes Felicity Duncan, Devon-Elise Johnson, Sophie-Louise Dann, Carli Norris, Laura Tyrer, Kerry Enright, Wendy Mae Brown and (former Box Office Radio presenter) Ben Stock.

There is, however, one thing that slightly interrupts the flow of the evening: the elongated blackouts between some of the scenes. The pauses can feel rather lengthy, particularly when you’re keen to see what happens next. They do occasionally take you out of the rhythm of the story, which is a shame because the scenes themselves have such good momentum. A quicker transition between them would make the production feel even more seamless and keep the energy going.

Overall, this is exactly the sort of show you might recommend to friends when you want an entertaining night without anything too heavy. It’s funny, warm, lively and very easy to settle into. Despite the slightly overlong scene changes, there is plenty here to enjoy, and the production delivers a thoroughly pleasant and uplifting evening at the theatre. If you fancy a night of laughs, dancing and feel-good entertainment, Stepping Out is well worth stepping out for.

****   Four Stars