St Paul's Players are Stepping Out to start the new season

Stepping Out offered the best of both worlds with a slice of dance and comedy, which the characters married up nicely to offer a feel-good production.

The Bolton News reported in last month’s entertainment guide 24:7 that the theatre group had experienced a real life ‘break a leg’ moment when Judith Armstrong (Rose), broke her arm at work.

But not one for letting a small case of a plastered arm get in the way, the show did indeed go on.
Each of the cast offered a different element to the show and portrayed the lives of seven women (and Geoffrey) from very different backgrounds.

From harsh but hilarious Sylvia (Debi Winnard) to a timid but troubled Andy (Vicki Wilson), the awkward and stammering Dorothy (Becca Hilton), to the observant youngster of the group Lynne (Helena Carter), the Del Boy of the group Maxine (Jacqui Brian), the blunt but fair Rose to the annoying but brilliant Vera (Kathy Turton) — who always says the wrong thing — the characters that are nothing alike somehow manage to find a common ground through tap.

Mavis' (Jane Catterall) dancing was impressively polished — shown off in her solo dance. But the eight in her class hilariously stumbled their way through the simple tap routines that at one stage cause even the patient Mavis to crumble.

But after a lot of hard work (and hat dropping courtesy of Andy), the characters got it together for the impressive final show.

Special mention has to be given to Mrs Frazier (Judith Holt) whose dead pan comments came perfectly delivered — and the bumbling Geoffrey (Graham Cohen) who delivered an impressive final routine (despite having only two of the three ‘T’s).

A simple but well designed set portraying a slightly run down studio with stage completed the production directed by Jane Harrison. Stepping Out is a charming and funny start to the new season.