Spectacular production of A Chorus Line

Staff and pupils put on a dazzling evening of theatre in the second half of the Michaelmas term with a spectacular production of A Chorus Line. This is a notoriously challenging show to even consider, with a seemingly non-stop sequence of highly choreographed dance routines, and an extremely complex score for the band to negotiate. But it worked on every level, and extremely successfully.

The story concerns a group of hopeful dancers auditioning for a part in a chorus line. The director, given an all-powerful and at times slightly sinister performance by Steve Shaw, asks each dancer to talk about themselves, their life history and their aspirations, as part of the audition process. A complex web of motivations and emotional baggage emerges.

The opening 'I Hope I Get It' was a virtuoso ten minutes of theatre. Playing the part of the choreographer, Ellie Barrs, who actually choreographed the King's production, was simply brilliant. The complex timing of her instructions to the dancers dovetailed perfectly with the band, and the standard of the dancing set the tone for the rest of the evening.

'I Can Do That' revealed a terrific singing voice in Dominic Stuckes, as well as a rare tap-dancing talent. Jack Graham, Ronan Handcock, Megan Savage and Jess Mason all shone in 'And', while Emma Butler, Alex Wynn and Alice Bevan created an extremely touching 'At the Ballet'. Ellie Watts and Nick de Figueiredo showed virtuoso timing in 'Sing', the tone-deaf Kristine helped through the number by husband Al.

'Hello Twelve, Hello Thirteen, Hello Love' was a sizzling montage, full of pace, with starring roles for Charlie Evans, Callum Brown, Elliott Marchent, Jess Mason and Alice Bevan, only for Caroline Tecks as Diana almost to steal the show with her unbelievably authentic show voice in 'Nothing'. Ronan Handcock as Ritchie could almost have been a professional himself as singer and dancer, while Megan Savage gave a cleverly sardonic yet touching performance of 'Dance Ten, Looks Three'.

But Jess Dalwood was a revelation as Cassie in 'The Music and the Mirror'. Commanding the stage for something like ten minutes, her extended song and dance routine was one of those moments you forgot you were in a school theatre. Murray Grindon's monologue as Paul had the audience hanging on his every word. 'What I Did for Love' was one of those outstanding show ballads, beautifully sung by Sophie Hewitt, Emily Baker and Edward Wynn.

The number of individual cast names that need to be mentioned is an indication of just what a true ensemble piece this was. And here lies the irony at the centre of the show. These 'gypsies' we have come to know, and in many cases love during the evening, merge at the end into the faceless chorus line. And these ensemble scenes really did steal the show, with outstanding singing, and spectacular dance routines.

None of which would have mattered of course without another fine band put together by director of music Colin Albery and assistant Karen Fergusson. Lighting by Will McKean and sound by Sascha Panayotopoulos belonged to a professional theatre, as did Maggie Vile's costumes. So much credit is due to director Anne Sheehan for producing such a fabulous evening of theatre.