Kings Theatre in Portsmouth – until 22nd June 2024
Reviewed by Emma Barnes
5*****
Taking center stage once again at the beautiful Kings Theatre, The Portsmouth Players delighted the audience last night with their electrifying production of Fame The Musical. Based on the iconic 1980s TV series and film, this high-energy show tells the story of the aspiring performers of New York’s High School of Performing Arts as they chase their artistic dreams under the spotlight.
Fame boasts a punchy score by Steve Margoshes and Jacques Levy, which had our feet tapping right from the start. The obvious crowd pleaser was the title song ´Fame´ skillfully brought to life by Madison Cathrow as Carmen Diaz, and the vibrant music, dance and top notch choreography continued to be delivered with such professionalism and infectious energy that it was easy to forget that this a community theatre group. An unexpected break and delightful contrast from the pop score was a beautifully portrayed ballad ´These are my children’ by Kate Thomas as Miss Sherman.
Fame the Musical was a great choice for this group as the script allowed director Timothy Quinlan to display a diverse range of dance, singing and acting on the one stage, and it truly was a young and talented cast. ´Ty´s rap´ performed by Jacob Bailey was another highlight. Other special mentions should go to vocal performances by Megan Parkes as Serena Katz and Rosy Stephens as Mabel Washington.
The show doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities that pave the path to stardom. We see the students grapple with demanding teachers, personal struggles, and the relentless pursuit of artistic excellence. The script also didn’t shy away from content which in today´s era felt to me to be sometimes less palatable, the body shaming scene in particular made me squirm, however I interpreted this as a portrayal of moment in time and reminder of how much the world has moved on.
This production is a must-see for anyone, from any background, and any shape or size colour or creed who has ever dared to dream big. It’s a celebration of youthful ambition, artistic expression, and the unwavering belief that with hard work, supportive teachers and friends by your side anything is possible. So put on your dancing shoes and head down to Kings Theatre – this performance of Fame will have you remembering their names long after the curtain falls.