Stepping Out - A Comedy by Richard Harris The Pump House Theatre, Watford, Herts. 26th to 29th October 2016
PRESS RELEASE - Press Office: 07917 324179 - August 2016
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:[email protected] Website: www.belmonttheatre.co.uk Facebook: Belmont Theatre Twitter: @Belmonttheatre1
