Review of Fame The Musical
My first obsession and love in the eighties was Fame. Nothing would move me from the TV every week, I bought all the albums, and Fame was my first concert. At a function recently when someone played Star Maker, all of us of a certain age still remembered the words, so with this nostalgic love I was both excited and nervous to see the new stage version.
The story is based around students attending the New York School of Performing Arts as they follow their dreams of becoming actors, dancers and musicians, and it didn't disappoint.
The musical numbers were full of energy with great choreography. Jamal Kane Crawford who plays Tyrone was phenomenal with a real stage presence as well as some amazing moves!
The new songs carried the narrative perfectly, and whilst all the cast were excellent, Mica Paris singing in the second act as Miss Sherman was powerful and moving.
This was a real ensemble piece with fantastic musicians on the stage, great comedy from Albey Brookes (Joe) and wonderful chemistry between Keith Jacks (Nick) and Molly McGuire (Serena). However, for me the stand out performances came from Simon Anthony (Schlomo) and Stephanie Rojas (Carmen). The vibrancy and life of Carmen that is taken away by drugs is so movingly and believably portrayed and Schlomo's heartbreak watching her is achingly real.
Fame more than lived up to my expectations. It has been brought into the twenty first century without losing the essence of what it was and I enjoyed every minute.
The show can be seen at the Waterside Theatre in Aylesbury this week, as it travels the country during a nationwide tour which culminates at the Peacock Theatre in London in September 2019.
Does Fame live forever - hell yeah!
