Classic comedy strides onto stage

CENTRE STAGE: Ipswich Little Theatre cast members (from left) Lauren Roche, Sally Taylor and Stacey Muller rehearse for Stepping Out.

David Nielsen

STEPPING Out, a hilarious comedy written by Richard Harris, chronicles several months in the life of a beginners' dance class.

Students have a variety of reasons for joining the class.

Led by Mavis, their eternally patient instructor, and accompanied by the acerbic pianist Mrs Fraser, the students strive to master the basics of dance.

Ipswich Little Theatre director Jan Paterson will present the comedy in March at the Incinerator theatre.

"The steps and routines are just the background for the real focus of the play - the relationships and interactions of these 10 very different people," she said.

"By their final performance, not only have the class members developed some degree of skill, but they have also overcome the inhibitions, awkwardness and personality conflicts that have kept them out of sync.

"Stepping Out is the kind of show that makes my job as director a pleasure and I am delighted to be revisiting it.

"It gives the actors a chance to showcase their talents as the characters are so diverse - they are real people with real problems and yet manage to find something that takes them out of their comfort zone."

On board is assistant director Desley Cronon.

"We've worked on over 40 productions together, including Stepping Out in 1994," Ms Paterson said.

"Three of the original players - Di Johnston, Chic Currie and Debbie Lowe - are in the latest production.

"Debbie is again doing choreography and her daughter Ashleigh Lowe is playing the part that her mother played some 18 years ago.

"Cast members Sally Taylor, Laura Craig, Anna Loizou and Autumn Barn are all making their debut on the Incinerator stage."

The season of Stepping Out runs from March 7 to 24 at the Incinerator, Burley Griffin Dr, Ipswich.

Book with the Ipswich Visitor Information Centre, 14 Queen Victoria Pde - call 3281 0555 - or go to the theatre's website.