First Act’s production of Strictly Dance Report at Shanklin Theatre. From right, Anthony Beaumont, Andrew Skinner and Peter Boffin. Picture by Jennifer Burton.
STAGE REVIEWIT was an emotional Monday night at Shanklin Theatre when the huge First Act audience for Strictly Dance Report joined in vocally for their finale number, The Lambeth Walk.
As the company took their deserved applause, founder Carol Laidler confidently predicted: "We will keep going — here or somewhere else."
For the past 16 years, the First Act group, whose personnel are adult clients with learning difficulties, have performed shows at the Shanklin Theatre. This production had to be brought forward several weeks due to the imminent closure of the venue, at the end of March.
Strictly Dance Report, complete with back projection and an on-stage car, followed the nationwide dancing craze with two local paper reporters, Anthony Beaumont and Andrew Skinner, described by their editor, played by local actor Peter Boffin, as "the best reporters this side of Godshill." Their quest for a story took us to dance locations that included Rochester, Bournemouth, Ilfracombe and Prestatyn. There was a happy ending, of course.
We were treated to many forms of dancing from the First Act members and their helpers. There was rock 'n’ roll, the twist, line dancing, the tango, gay gordons and a touch of the more modern. The ballroom segment, featuring the men in suits and bow ties and their ladies in colourful gowns, was a joy to behold and, once again, proved just how far this group has come since 1994.
This was an ambitious project for the director and scriptwriter Vivien Russell, particularly with such a limited rehearsal time at their disposal. With so many on stage it could have proved a nightmare but all was well on the night.
The three choreographers, Carol Laidler, Jane Morris and Vivien Russell, had worked wonders and, as ever, were supported by their on-stage helpers, musical director Ron Bird and chorus mistress Alana Bird.
The joy on the faces of the First Act members as they came to see their parents, relatives, friends and helpers at the end of the show was a clear indication of just why this group must continue. Hopefully this will still be Shanklin Theatre, if it re-opens, or at another suitable venue here on the Island. Their kind of unique entertainment is inspirational for those on the stage and in the theatre. Long may it continue.