Fame The Musical 30th anniversary tour at Malvern Theatres
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Can you believe next year will mark 40 years since the Fame movie swept everyone into a frenzy of music and dance? Inevitably, a musical version later took to the stage. That musical is now on its 30th anniversary UK tour and it landed in Malvern last night with a bang. It boasts vibrant, moving songs headed up by the incredible vocal talent of Mica Paris. Acrobatic dancing keeps all eyes glued to the stage.
Fame The Musical: the show
I saw Fame The Musical with absolutely no preconceptions. Prior to last night, I was one of a very small number of thirty-somethings who have never seen the film or musical. Whilst I had some idea of the concept, I didn’t know the story at all and found it surprisingly basic. The plot centres around pupils at a performing arts school, following them right through from auditions to graduation.
Within that, there are numerous stories based around one or two characters. Moving from one sub-plot to the next feels rather disjointed. You don’t get a real feel for any of the characters before the scene changes and someone else is the focus.
However where the production lacks a powerful story, it more than makes up for it with the strength of the cast and soundtrack. Every song was performed with power, commanding the audience’s attention. Dance moves were phenomenal, incorporating everything from ballet to break dancing. Whilst it’s not the most engaging story ever written, the show itself is something to behold.
Fame The Musical: the cast
Mica Paris is a popular British singer. Her 30 year career has seen her rise to fame with top 10 singles and albums across the world. She leads an all-star cast in Fame the Musical, playing teacher Miss Sherman. Nick Piazza is played by Keith Jack, best known for being runner up in Any Dream Will Do on BBC1. He has since toured with Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and starred in numerous other productions and pantomimes. Jeorgie Porter of Hollyoaks fame plays Iris Kelly.
The whole cast is made up of talented singers and dancers that really bring the musical to life. I can’t say how this production will shape up for die-hard Fame fans. What I can say though, is that if you’re looking for a high energy, feel good night at the theatre, this will tick all the boxes.
Fame the Musical is showing at Malvern Theatres from Monday 8th to Saturday 13th July. Head to the Fame Tour website for dates and venues for the rest of 2019. The show is not recommended for children aged under 12 years old.
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