Richard Harris’ wonderfully heartwarming comedy Stepping Out was first seen at the Thorndike Theatre, Leatherhead, in 1984, directed by Julia McKenzie, and was so successful that it immediately toured before finding a West End theatre, where it ran for nearly three years; imagine a play doing that these days!
In fact, I can imagine that, because Chris Jordan’s new production, which has just opened at Eastbourne’s ever-welcoming Devonshire Park Theatre, is easily the equal of that first production, which I saw at Leatherhead and have long remembered with a great deal of affection – it is that sort of play!
The play follows eight individuals from diverse backgrounds who attend a weekly tap-dancing class in a typical Victorian church hall – a superb design by Julie Godfrey, looking every bit as worn or tired as these sorts of venues always do!
The central character is Mavis, a former chorus girl who teaches the class, and a wonderful, very believable performance from Karen Hauer. Then there is pianist Mrs Fraser, given a funny yet at the same time poignant portrayal by Felicity Duncan. The eight mismatched students consist of the timid Dorothy (Sophie-Louise Dann), the brassy Maxine (Carli Norris), the overweight Sylvia (Kerry Enright), the snobbish Vera (Lucy Benjamin), Lynne, a young nurse (Devon-Elise Johnson), always cheerful Rose (Wendy Mae Brown), the insecure Andy (Laura Tyler) and lastly the sole male: Geoffrey, a widowed, non-confrontational shipping insurance worker, who also turns out in this production to be a superb pianist! (Ben Stock).
Harris treats each of them equally as we gradually learn more about them and their reasons for attending the class. In addition, we follow them as their tap skills gradually improve and they gain in confidence. Stepping Out is beautifully and cleverly written: Harris has an eye for detail, and as well as being extremely amusing at times, it is also surprisingly involving. The writing is so strong that we believe in all ten characters and find ourselves getting involved in their success at gradually doing something which is well out of their comfort zone.
All ten actors work as a true ensemble, aided by Jordan’s imaginative direction which gives the play light and shade. He knows when to play it for laughs and when to relax the pace so that the audience has a chance to empathise with the characters with they feel most involved. He is greatly aided by Julie Godfrey’s costume designs, which add even more humour to the play, as well as Robert Cousins and Charlie Tipler’s music and sound, which subtly blend live and recorded music – especially effective in the finale when everyone demonstrates what they have learned! Unobtrusive yet inventive lighting is by Ryan Tate, and the often hilarious choreography is courtesy of Alan Burkitt. It must be very difficult for excellent dancers, which all the cast are, to have to act as being completely useless at the start of the evening!
There is so much else I could write about this truly uplifting play, but it is not necessary! Everything about it is totally superb, and one leaves the theatre having laughed loud and long as well as having experienced something which is thoughtful and believable, and, above all, very entertaining!
Stepping Out is playing at Eastbourne until 29 August, but if you are unable to see it there, it is touring to Churchill Theatre, Bromley, the wonderful Palace Theatre Westcliff (Southend!) and to the new theatre at Fareham. Very highly recommended – a wonderful, stylish revival of a wonderful, life-affirming play!
Review by John Groves
Richard Harris’ warm and witty comedy follows a group of amateur dancers who meet each week for a tap class in a draughty church hall.
Led by Mavis Turner, the class brings together a colourful mix of personalities, each with their own reasons for taking part. As they prepare for a charity performance, friendships grow, tensions rise, and unexpected talents begin to emerge.
What starts with missteps and mishaps gradually becomes something much more meaningful. Stepping Out is a funny and feel-good story about friendship, confidence, and finding your place in a group.
Karen Hauer takes on the role of Mavis Turner, joined by Lucy Benjamin as Vera. The cast also includes Wendy Mae Brown as Rose, Sophie-Louise Dann as Dorothy, Felicity Duncan as Mrs. Fraser, Kerry Enright as Sylvia, Devon Elise Johnson as Lynne, Carli Norris as Maxine, Ben Stock as Geoffrey, and Laura Tyrer as Andy.
Directed by Chris Jordan, from the team behind previous summer productions including The Invisible Man, The Play What I Wrote, and The Hound of the Baskervilles.
STEPPING OUT
Devonshire Park Theatre, 13 to 29 August 2026
Tour continues to 26 September 2026
