Waterloo East Theatre 12 May – 4 June. Reviewed by Claire Roderick
Ballroom doesn’t have the greatest score, or book, but for all its flaws, this 1978 musical still has some charm. In its European premiere, Gerald Armin’s direction manages to capture the faded and slightly tawdry atmosphere of a 1970s Bronx dancehall, but the Starlight Ballroom never quite sparkles as it should.
The plot follows widowed Bea Asher, who is sleepwalking through life after her husband’s death. Persuaded by friend Angie, Bea goes along to the Starlight Ballroom to meet new friends. Al Rossi sweeps her off her feet and their affair gives her a new lease of life, but he is not all he seems.
Jessica Martin is strong as Bea, managing to make you almost forget the ridiculous wig she’s saddled with for the second act; and really nails Fifty Percent. Olivia Maffett shows great comic chops as Bea’s disapproving sister-in-law and as a dippy ballroom regular. Natalie Moore-Williams as Angie gives a stand out performance, all gum chewing brassiness with a heart of gold beneath, with a fantastically over the top Cagney and Lacey style accent. Colette Kelly almost steals every scene as another neurotic dancer, and the entire cast are obviously having a ball, especially Danielle Morris and Adam Anderson – acing the cheesy cabaret singer moves and grins.
It is wonderful to see such a mature cast take the stage, but this leads to a wider range of dancing ability than usually seen. Nancy Kettle seems to have accepted what she has to work with and opted for simple routines that never threaten to take your breath away. The characterisation by the cast saves the day, with some gloriously ridiculous posing from the dancers. The Tango competition and the Hustle are fantastic laugh out loud moments, and you really can’t help being swept away on the charm and energy blasting from the cast.
Yes, it’s dated, fluffy and cheesy, and feels a little like the 50th anniversary reunion of the Dirty Dancing cast, but Ballroom is a lot of fun and has some great comic performances.