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Pictures: Graeme Braidwood Kiss me Quickstep Derby Theatre **** A criticism that could never be levelled at Derby Theatre is that it is predictable and boring. Next year we have the Classic Macbeth, last night we had Kiss me Quickstep, a contemporaneous tilt at dramatizing the modern media interest in ballroom dancing. It is in the hands of prolific local playwright and literary polymath, Nottingham’s Amanda Whittington. Her plays tend to focus on a female perspective and there is plenty for her to have a go at here with sequins galore, fabulous frocks, fixed smiles, fake tan and the backstage bitching of competitive ballroom dancing. The wardrobe department will rarely have been busier. Three couples take centre stage in a production sharply directed by Lilac Yosiphon which has the razzle dazzle to the fore. Joanna Goodwin as choreographer delivers the dance spectacularly, squeezing a convincing ballroom performance from her actors.
The Empress Ballroom Blackpool is skilfully recreated by Eleanor Field, functional and effective, in juxtaposition to the lavish, gorgeous dresses. How lighting director David Coull must have smiled when he realised that the show would require three drop down chandeliers to augment the conventional overhead and side spotlighting. The cast feature Luka Kralj, (Jabez Sykes) who has come from Russia to compete in the championships, and his partner Nancy Knight, (Claire Gleave), in training since she was three, aided and abetted by her rich dad, Mick, (Jason Furnival) who is determined to bankroll her dreams. Jodie and Justin Atherton overcome a car breakdown to stagger in. Lee Hart and Samantha Shaw, sashay and swagger. Samanatha looks fabulous, and dances fabulously ,giving a nuanced and compelling performance, the star of the evening. There is little to fault the acting in Yosiphon’s production. Claire Gleave is engaging as Nancy, especially when she sticks to her principles. There is tension towards the end when she clashes with her win-at-all-costs dad, played with vigour and credibility by Furnival. Sykes gives an impressive portrayal of Luka whose focus on perfection is matched by his persuasive Russian accent. Ashley Gilmore and Hollie Stephens are arresting as Justin and Jodie. They are probably the finest dancers too, admirably strutting their stuff in both the ballroom and Latin sections. Isabel Snaas is captivating as Samantha, the envied dancer who has appeared twice on the cover of Dancing Times but who swigs vodka as she struggles to find her real self. Mathew Jeans shines as Lee who feels his drive and ambition are far more important than Samantha's self-doubt. As he says, "competitive dancing is not about confidence. It's the illusion of confidence. And you can create that." The dance routines are little short of extraordinary. There's a willowy waltz, a tingling tango, a sizzling samba and a pulsating paso doble. The dance routines are dazzling, the script stitches it all together, no-one puts a foot wrong. Where the production succeeds so well is in melding mundane authenticity (the hotel references are spot on for anyone who has stayed in Blackpool) with the sparkling razzamatazz of ballroom dancing, and local Derby suburb Chaddesden is name- checked. It is also laugh out loud funny Numerous audience members were head turning and finger clicking in time with the dance routines for an old-fashioned feel-good show. Try not to enjoy it- go on, I dare you! Continues until Sat 21st June. Gary Longden 10-06-25 |
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