If you’re looking for an energetic way to spend your Saturday night this weekend then you should head to Edinburgh’s King’s Theatre for The Beyond Broadway Experience’s excellent production of Fame – The Musical.

Based on the 1980 musical film of the same name – which was directed by Alan Parker and written by Christopher Gore – the teen musical drama follows a group of students during their studies at the High School of Performing Arts in New York, from their auditions to their freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years. The story follows their struggles, fears and triumphs as the youngsters strive for a career in showbusiness.

Fame – The Musical is performed by a cast of some of the most talented young people in Scotland. And if you lose count at the sheer number of brilliant performers then no one could blame you – there are 160 of them! Plenty of hard work has clearly gone into this tight and energetic production.

There are eye-catching performances from principal players such as Melissa McNaught who plays Serena, Caitlin Tipping who plays Carmen and Sarah Kerr who plays Mabel, whose battle against snacking is something many of us can relate to!

I was particularly impressed by Fraser Kelsey who plays Mr Sheinkopf – and when you hear his accent you’ll realise why! It’s two solid hours of foot-tapping songs – as well as some more mellow numbers. ‘These Are My Children’ was particularly touching while “Remembering Our Name” and “Dancin’ on the Sidewalk” had the audience lapping up the atmosphere.

Even a slight technical issue with the sound towards the end of the first act didn’t spoil the show and the cast carried on brilliantly.

My only bone of contention is perhaps The Beyond Broadway Experience need to look at increasing the ethnic diversity of its cast. From a cast of 160 I could see only one person from a black and ethnic minority background although I feel sure this is something the production team are well aware of.

Fame – the Musical is on at the King’s Theatre on Saturday 22nd July 2017 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available here.

Edinburgh Reporter Rating: ****

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Author of The Team for Me - 50 Years of Following Hearts. Runs Mind Generating Success, a successful therapy practice in Edinburgh. Contact me if you want rid of any unwanted habits. Twitter @Mike1874

2 COMMENTS

  1. Overall a good review but last statement retracts from our boys talent and makes it appear that he may have been chosen ‘to make up numbers’ . He like the rest of the cast were fabulous . No need for last statement . Detrimental to say the least …….

  2. Thanks for posting, Sharon. I agree – all the cast were fabulous and I’m certainly not inferring anyone was there ‘to make up the numbers’. The point I’m making is that I thought there might have been others from a BEM background. If there aren’t enough BEM applicants for the show, this may be something the production company might want to look at to see a) why this is and b) how they can attract others.

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