Stepping Out - review

Brian Capron, best known as Coronation Street's evil killer Richard Hillman, excels in a completely different role as he milks the laughs in hit comedy Stepping Out at Devonshire Park Theatre.

Capron plays geeky, bumbling Geoffrey, the only male in a clueless tap class at a church hall.

After a slow-moving, disappointing first act, Capron brings this 25th anniversary production of Richard Harris's award-winning play to life with the most inept dance moves you can imagine.

Geoffrey and the rest of the class look horrified when their ex-professional dance teacher Mavis (Lucy Williamson) announces that they have been invited to perform at a charity gala.

Tensions mount as new class member Vera, superbly played by understudy Lucy Woolliscroft, stirs things up.

Despite this, the tappers eventually come good and put on a dazzling dance routine, which choreographer Kenn Oldfield taught them in three weeks!

Jessie Wallace, showing little variation from her portrayal of Kat Slater in EastEnders, injects wit but not much depth as extrovert Sylvia, and is outshone by Rosemary Ashe, Carrie Ellis and Johanne Murdock.

All the cast, especially Williamson, deserve credit for their dancing, and Capron told me:

"I was so relieved to finally reach a good standard after a real struggle."

Review written by Tony Flood.