The Play

"Tap, step, heel… tap, step, heel, ball change… right now starting on the left foot, no, your other left foot…right!... tap, step, heel,… tap, step, heel…"

Rehearsals are well underway for the Players' final show of the year "Stepping Out". This gentle heart-warming comedy follows an eccentric group of women and one man in their weekly tap-dance class, struggling to conquer their inhibitions and an excess of left feet. Masterfully accompanied on the piano by the belligerent Mrs. Fraser. The cast contains an abundance of talent. Many have been dancing and choreographing shows for many years and have been looking forward to being able to be part of a show where the dance is such an important factor.

It is hilarious how to watch these extremely talented dancers pretending to be beginners. But the cast also contains some members who are very new to dance and have never tapped before.

The Director, Jenny Woodall, has years of tap-dancing experience behind her. This is the show which takes the audience behind the scenes into the rehearsal room and shares with them the joy and laughter as well as the stress, tears and hard-work that go into producing just one fabulous dance sequence. And it will be fabulous!

The real rehearsal process aligns very closely to the script. "The biggest problem at the moment is that they're all too good!" said Jenny.

Your feet won't be able to keep still!

A Triumph on Tap!

The Playwright

Richard Harris was born in London. His plays include The Maintenance Man, The Dog It Was, Conscience Be Damned, Albert and Victoria, Local Affairs, Outside Edge (Evening Standard Award for 1979) and Stepping Out (Standard Drama Award for 1984). He co-created the BBC series Shoestring and his plays for television include Who's a Good Boy Then? I Am, You Must be Virginia, Saving It For Albie, When the Boys Come Out to Play, Sunday in Perspective, Occupier's Risk, Time and Mr Madingley, I Can See Your Lips Move, A Slight Formality, Jack's Trade and Dog Ends. Among his adaptations for television are Murder Most English, The Prince and the Pauper, Plain Murder and Sherlock Holmes. His radio play Was It Something I Said? was a winner of the Giles Cooper Radio Award.

His more recent TV credits include A Touch of Frost (1992) and The Last Detective (2003).

The Director

Jenny Woodall studied drama at University of Queensland and has had many years experience teaching dance, drama, directing and performing. Her first performance was at the age of six as Helen Keller in The Miracle Worker.

She was most recently seen on stage in "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" in the demanding and electrifying role of Maggie.

The Cast

The Crew