Theatre review: Fame: it's gonna live forever

jeremy.ransome@iliffepublishing.co.uk

Published: 17:19, 28 November 2019

| Updated: 17:27, 28 November 2019

Fame: The Musical by Selladoor Productions

New Theatre, Peterborough

It may be nearly 40 years since the kids from Fame first captured public attention with a smash hit film, but this 30th anniversary tour of the musical shows there's still so much love for it.

Starring Hollyoaks and 'I'm a Celebrity...' star Jorgie Porter and 'Any Dream Will Do' runner-up Keith Jack, the show treats the audience to a carnival of singing, dancing and drama from start to finish.

Based on the 1980 smash hit film, the musical charts the lives of students at New York’s High School For The Performing Arts as they experience the highs and lows of teenage life, confronting along the way subjects which still pervade today, such as prejudice, literacy, sexuality and drug abuse.

Although Jorgie Porter and Keith Jack are the 'names' in this show, they're certainly not the only star performers. Porter dances with grace and acts with elegance as the insecure Iris Kelly during her first stage show and Jack is super as the serious Nick Piazza, showing off his vocal talents seen on TV with 'I Want to Make Magic' and 'Let's Play a Love Scene' with Molly McGuire (playing Serena Katz).

But for me Jamal Kane Crawford as Iris' on/off love interest Tyrone and Stephanie Rojas as the feisty and ultimately tragic Carmen steal the show. Crawford's dance moves are worth the admission fee alone and he shows his singing talent too with 'Tyrone's Rap' and 'Dancin' on the Sidewalk'.

And Rojas is so believable as Carmen and took us all back to the 80s with her amazing rendition of the Oscar-winning title song, with its reprise having the whole audience on its feet.

But the best vocal performance of the evening came from Josie Benson, who played the strict English teacher Miss Esther Sherman. Her rendition of 'These Are My Children' was a real show stopper.

I must mention Albey Brookes too. The role of Joe Vegas is a terrifically funny one and he plays it with aplomb. I could watch him perform 'Can't Keep It Down' 100 times and I'd still laugh hysterically.