Put on your dancing shoes for Veryan Players autumn production!
Fans of the Veryan Players are in for a feast this month as the amateur dramatic company takes on one of its biggest challenges yet – learning to tap dance.
In just two weeks’ time their production of ‘Stepping Out’ opens for a four-night run at the Veryan Parish Hall.
Written by Richard Harris, ‘Stepping Out’ is a rollicking comedy about a group of working-class amateurs who overcome their inhibitions, and left feet, in a low rent dance studio. Many minor dramas erupt among the lovable crew on their way to a show stopping finale.
Fulfilling a long-held ambition
Director, John Heath, has been involved in amateur dramatics for about 40 years. First in Hampshire and then in Cornwall. He is fulfilling a long-held ambition to stage this particular play. He said: “It is a funny play, full of delightful characters. It is a realistic play, funny in places but also sad at times. I think it will appeal to our audience because I have found they love a good story and enjoy comedy.”
Appropriately, the play is set in a village hall. It delves into the lives of seven women, one man, their teacher, and the pianist at a weekly tap-dancing class. With their usual enthusiasm and flare the cast have developed the different characters. And, with the help of some dancing lessons, they have laced up their tap shoes, most for the very first time, to master buffaloes, cramp rolls, scoops and tap springs – all in a matter of a few weeks.
Tracey Earl has landed the role of Mavis the dance teacher
This has been a huge challenge as Tracey is a relative newcomer to amateur dramatics. The lines alone are taking some learning. Working full-time she takes the opportunity of learning her lines when she can, usually on the park and ride bus to and from work.
Tracy said: “Combine that with learning to tap dance (and try to be convincing as a tap dance teacher) certainly increases the difficulty of what we are trying to achieve. But thanks to the real dance teacher, Sophie Mydlarz, plus extra practice sessions at the social club and videos Sophie has shared on the WhatsApp group, we’ve learned a lot in a short time.”
Although undoubtedly a challenge and quite exhausting she is really enjoying the whole process. With a mix of experience in the group everyone supports one another sharing valuable advice. “It’s a really lovely bunch of people to spend time with and it’s great to learn new things. As Mavis says – the biggest buzz, the real buzz, is enjoying ourselves! I hope the audiences will come and enjoy it as much as we enjoy performing it.”
Many helpers are working behind the scenes to make the show happen
Rehearsals are going very well. And while the cast have been polishing up their dancing shoes an army of helpers have been working behind the scenes on set building and construction, painting, lighting, sound, ticketing, and preparing for front of house duties.
John said: “The cast have got themselves up to a standard for the ‘grand finale’ because they don’t want to let themselves down. As well as tap-dancing lessons they have taken it upon themselves to do extra tap dancing as a group outside normal rehearsal time. They seem to have such fun doing it.”
“Veryan always loves a play like this. They are great supporters of the drama group and enjoy comedy as well as the more serious plays that we do.”
Stepping Out opens on Wednesday 15 November at 7.30pm for four consecutive nights. So, get your dancing shoes on and tap down to the Veryan Parish Hall for an evening of joyous entertainment.
The Veryan Players have put on a variety of productions over the years and Stepping Out is at the lighter end but don’t let that put you off – you’ll leave with a smile on your face.