Fame (UK Tour)
New Wimbledon Theatre
Reviewed on Monday 24th January 2014
Those who immediately associate Fame with leg-warmers should think again as Gary Lloyd’s all-new production of the musical has been given a 2014 makeover for its latest national tour. Lines have been updated, melodies have been fiddled with and the cast are often seen with phones and iPads.
Set at the world famous High School for Performing Arts New York, Fame is an ensemble show which follows a group of young talented hopefuls as they are distracted by love, drugs and blinded with passion. I love Fame, it is one of my favourite musicals, and whilst giving the show a 2014 makeover should introduce Fame to a whole new generation, not all of the risks taken pay off.
I loved some of the new arrangements of various musical numbers, including ‘Can’t Keep It Down’, the incredible dance break in ‘Dancin' On The Sidewalk’ and ‘Bring On Tomorrow’. However, I also found some of the reinterpreted songs painfully awful to listen to. ‘I Want To Make Magic’ was messy as was ‘Teacher’s Argument’ and ‘Think of Meryl Streep’.
To make matters worse the cast is lacking true triple threats with equal skill in all three disciplines which is hugely disappointing. An ensemble show like Fame is unable to rely on one cast member to carry the piece. Nobody in the cast was consistently awful but too few were consistently strong.
The two strongest performances came from actresses in smaller roles, Alexzandra Sarmiento as Grace ‘Lambchops’ Lamb and Sasi Strallen as Iris Kelly. Sarmiento played her role perfectly, proving instantly likeable and funny while standing out in group numbers for slick, smooth and effortless execution of the choreography. Strallen portrayed her role with charm, danced angelically and sang note perfect - a true triple threat.
Stand out performances also came from the larger than life Joseph Giacone as the cocky yet amusing Joe Vegas, Jodie Steele (Carmen Diaz) who provided the act one highlight with an energetic rendition of the musical’s title number and Molly Stewart (Mabel Washington) who came into her own during the second act, bringing the house down with an incredible rendition of ‘Mabel's Prayer’.
Upon reflection, ending the first act with a reprise of the show’s title number is a smart move as the audience begin to see Carmen in a new light. Carmen is a tricky role to play as her diva-ish attitude can make her unlikeable, but Steele does a fine job and certainly makes a huge impression during the final moments of ‘In LA’. I have no idea how anybody could belt like that eight times a week.
The only time I felt truly comfortable and could sit back and relax was during ‘These Are My Children’. Landi Oshinowo gives a stellar performance as Miss Sherman and her smooth, bluesy vocal tones are perfectly suited to the song.
What is most frustrating is that a 2014 version of Fame could be absolutely incredible. There is no denying that this production is performed with flair and high energy. However, Bill Kenwright’s production is trying desperately hard to reach out to a new audience and, whilst it's important theatre continues to draw in new people, whether or not Fame's new re-imagined 2014 audience will be willing to pay for 2014 top price theatre tickets remains to be seen.
Reviewed by Andrew Tomlins (Editor)
Fame runs at the New Wimbledon Theatre until Saturday 1st March 2014.
Please visit www.kenwright.com for further information, tour dates and tickets.
Photo Credit: Hugo Glendinning
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