Next Production below: Box Office: 07917 324179
Current Production: Stepping Out - a comedy by Richard Harris The Pump House Theatre, Watford, Herts WD17 2JP October 26th to 29th 2016 Tickets £12 (£11.50 Concessions). For further information please click here or call 07917 324179. To reserve seats, please click here . Stepping Out opens on October 26th 2016 for a run of five performances. Wednesday to Saturday @ 7.45pm plus Saturday matinee @ 2.45pm
This production is the version of Stepping Out that was written as a play, as opposed to a musical. The show will contain tap-dance routines and music which act as a backdrop against which the relationships and interaction of the characters are played out. Synopsis: Now a favourite of regional theatre audiences, this rollicking comedy, full of sparkle and zest, was named 'Evening Standard Comedy of the Year' when it premièred in 1984. The play follows a weekly church hall tap-dancing class, whose members attempt to overcome their inhibitions and left feet. Mavis, a former professional chorus girl, tries her hardest to teach the bumbling amateurs sufficient skills for an upcoming recital. But before the dancing begins, Mavis must mediate the minor dramas that erupt among this motley, but loveable crew on their way to ‘step out’ of everyday life into the magic of dance and triumph at their recital. The dance routines act as a backdrop against which the relationship and interaction of the characters are played out. "A surefire winner." - New York Daily News "You'll stand up and cheer." - WABC-TV "Constantly simmers with laughter." - Sunday Express One performance of this show has almost sold out so early booking is advised. Call Box Office now on 07917 324179.
Why not enjoy our shows with a group of friends, colleagues or clubmates? They'll thank you for organising it and extra concessions are often available for pre-booked groups of more than 10 for certain performances, subject to availability.
Early rehearsal pictures below for STEPPING OUT - Pictures by Steven Mercer. To book call 07917 324179 . We look forward to welcoming you to the show.
PRESS RELEASE - Press Office: 07917 324179 - August 2016
Stepping Out A Comedy by Richard Harris Introduction Award-winning local theatre group, Belmont Theatre, announces its October 2016 Stepping Out. This play contains tap-dance routines which form the backdrop for the plot and the relationship and interaction of the different characters production at The Pump House Theatre, Watford, of the ever-popular show. The Writer Richard Harris was born in London in 1934. He was a prolific writer, especially from the early 1960s to the mid-1990s and wrote for several well-known television series including The Darling Buds of May, The Sweeney and Sherlock Holmes and, of course, the play Stepping Out. The Play Stepping Out features eight individuals from different backgrounds and with differing motivations attending the same weekly tap-dancing class in a dingy North London Church Hall. Despite the students at first treating the classes as social occasions and showing little co-ordination, they later somehow develop a level of skill and cohesiveness. The dance routines are the background for the focus of the play: the relationship and interaction of different people. As the play progresses, the class's dancing improves to such an extent that by the climax, a grand charity show performance, they have been transformed into triumphant tappers, worthy of any chorus line. A comment from Michael Collins, Director of ‘Stepping Out’ “Stepping Out is certainly my kind of play, wonderful varied characters with a mixture of great humour plus pathos. Comedy has always been my passion and a very difficult aspect of theatre to master. There is quite a knack to gauging pauses and then honing the delivery of lines to optimum effect. This play has something for everybody, comedy, sadness and delicious characters and is, at times, quite uplifting. Stepping Out will be a challenge but I’m already finding it a delight to direct. You’ll be chuckling all evening. I know I will be.” A comment from – Lorna Alder, who plays Andy in ‘Stepping Out’ “I was delighted to be offered the part of Andy in Stepping Out, having once played the part in 1993 at our previous venue, Harrow Arts Centre. So how can I play the same part 23 years later? Well, each of the characters in the play has a story and Andy’s is not age specific. Without spoiling the plot, she has a secret that could relate to someone older (or more mature!) or younger. We now put on our productions at The Pump House Theatre, Watford which has a much wider stage so we should be able to execute some really good tap dancing routines. I loved being in the play in 1993 as it is a mixture of comedy and pathos, and is a real ensemble piece. Rehearsals are great fun and I am learning to tap dance again. However, this time I won’t have any excuse for forgetting my lines!” About Belmont Theatre Belmont Theatre Company is 70 years young in 2016 and still entertaining loyal audiences at The Pump House Theatre in Watford. As one of the leading amateur theatre groups in North West London and South Hertfordshire, the group currently has around 50 active members of all ages and is supported by a similar number of Patrons. Belmont Theatre has a great tradition of presenting high-quality shows, winning ‘Best Production’ at the recent Barnet and District Drama Festival for its version of Amy Rosenthal’s play ‘Sitting Pretty’. Members of the group also won ‘Best Actress’ and ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for their roles in that production. New members are crucial for the future of Belmont Theatre and through holding regular open days it encourages people to get involved in activities which provide the opportunity to use a wide range of skills, both on and off-stage, including acting, directing, sound and lighting, make-up and marketing, to name but a few. The group supports the valuable work of Peace Hospice Care in Watford. ‘Stepping Out’ opens at The Pump House Theatre, Watford, on Wednesday 26th October and runs to Saturday 29th October 2016 for five performances [Evenings at 7.45 pm, plus a Saturday Matinee at 2.45 pm]. Ticket prices: Standard £12.50/Concessions (over 60/under 18) £11.00. Box Office: Tel: 07917 324179 or Email: boxoffice@belmonttheatre.co.uk Website: www.belmonttheatre.co.uk Facebook: Belmont Theatre Twitter: @Belmonttheatre1 Pics below from Belmont's May 2016 show, 'Night Must Fall - a psychological drama by Emlyn Williams, performed at the Pump House Theatre, Watford .
Another smokescreen from No.10? Belmont scored yet another success with 'Pardon Me, Prime Minister' in October 2015.
In October 2015, the group was delighted to play to a run of full houses for this traditional, well-crafted farce. The audiences showed they loved it and all the dedicated hard work really paid off; a real collective effort with a hard-working cast and backstage team. The whole show was a great team effort from Front of House, Set Building, Working Parties, Props, Stage Managers, Prompt, Lighting and Sound, plus the vital work of Box Office and Publicity. Belmont at it's very best. The publicity for this play obviously worked well and the eye- catching programme and poster designed by Mike and Maggie Morrow certainly was one of our best. Who could resist that red bra!!!?
Belmont Theatre is always looking to welcome new members and patrons. We have a terrific programme of plays in the pipeline and plenty for you to get involved in. Michael Collins (Chairman) 'Shakespeare workshop'.
Further photos from the Shakespeare workshop below.
A SELECTION OF BELMONT PLAYS ... |
What can joining Belmont Theatre really do for me?
The proverbial 'first step' is notoriously the toughest to take when making a change so if you have ever considered taking a stab at the acting world, wait no longer and head in the direction of your performing dreams. Why? The answer is simple, but powerful. Becoming a thespian, director, stage-hand, costumer, prop master, stage manager as well as promoting the show and ensuring the performances run smoothly in an amateur theatre group has far more intrinsic benefits than many people realise. And who knows where joining amateur theatre society might take you! Famous faces who first started in amateur theatre include Helen Mirren and Daniel Craig. We are proud to support Peace Hospice Care
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© 2016, Belmont Theatre Company
Belmont Theatre Company is proud to be a member of The National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA)
