I think it’s fair to say that A CHORUS LINE, currently at the New Theatre in Cardiff till Saturday, is one show we’ve really been waiting for. It’s also a show you could hardly have failed to miss as it’s been everywhere, with lots of TV appearances ahead of this tour. And rightly so, this is a big show, with a huge cast and a massive reputation behind it.
Unbelievably, the story is almost 50 years old having made its Broadway debut in 1975. It was an instant smash then and five decades later, nothing has changed. A Chorus Line has as much glitz, glamour and good old fashioned razzle-dazzle as it ever had. Strip all the glitter and lights away however, and what you have is a real story about real people and the everyday struggles they, and indeed we all have to cope with. And for me, that’s what makes it such a great two hours in the theatre.
From the get go the opening scene is relentlessly brilliant. The stage is in darkness with lights catching the mirrors in the background – the full length type you see in a dance studio. There are 25 dancers ready to be put through their paces by Director Zach (ADAM COOPER), and boy does he make them sweat.
The New Theatre stage is absolutely packed with frantic performers, itching to make it through, it’s one of the most frenetic starts to any show you’ll see.
The opening routine leaves you breathless, it’s an iconic moment in the show and it comes right at the start. If you weren’t invested in the story before you came, ten minutes in you are completely absorbed.
The story is a musical about dancers auditioning for a place in the Chorus Line of a big show. The cast are the wannabe performers, some will make it through the audition stages, others won’t, something which happens early on after the opening number. The 25 are chopped down to 17 who stay with us for the rest of the show.
You can’t help but feel part of this audition process, which is gruelling and demanding and like we are always told about show business, utterly ruthless. But that’s the genius of the story. Yes, the routines are spectacular and the score is one of the best you’ll hear anywhere, but as I said earlier, it’s the lives of these mismatched individuals, all fighting for limited roles in the show, which makes this such a captivating story.
We caught up with some of the audience at the end of the show to get their take on it. Just to alert you that the performance runs for almost two hours, without an interval, something which was highlighted a few times during our interviews.
Systematically we go through each of the dancers who tell the director why they like dance and how they found their passion, which is what Mike Costa (REDMAND RANCE) does first, albeit reluctantly. He shares stories of why he has loved dancing since he was a kid.
As we meet each of the performers the stories become somewhat darker and on a few occasions will make you wince. Tales of bereavement, homophobia and abuse come to light, which goes to prove the old adage that fame really does come with a heavy price. The show is also incredibly funny too, and even if you haven’t had desires to perform on the stage, these stories are highly relatable to all of us.
It would be wrong of me to highlight any of them, or indeed the actors who inhabit these roles. This is a show where every member of the cast is important to the story, and without one of these parts it simply wouldn’t work.
There are moments when we step away from the group audition and into the tangled lives of Director Zach and Cassie, played superbly by CARLY MERCEDES DYER. There’s clearly history between the pair of them and an underlying tension which builds as we get to the climax of the story – again, no spoilers here.
There are other really outstanding performances from the likes of LYDIA BANNISTER who plays Bebe and MANUEL PACIFIC who is Paul San Marco. But everyone gives an outstanding performance. This cast can sing, dance and act, without missing a breath. Take a look at the full cast members HERE.
A Chorus Line may be set in 1975 New York but it feels as vibrant and fresh as it always has. Director Nikolai Foster has brought it right up to date without losing any of the essence which makes this such a powerful tale.
The set as you’d expect, is a relatively bare stage which is the background for the audition process, with the use of powerful lighting and an on-stage camera, which occasionally got right in the face of our auditionees. It felt incredibly immersive, personal, and intentionally intrusive, which helped capture the raw panic as they were asked to bare their souls to the rest of the company.
I also want to mention the incredible band of musicians, who we occasionally get to see thanks to the on-stage camera. Under the direction of MATTHEW SPALDING they transition seamlessly from audition room piano, to full on theatre orchestra with a sound which just blows you away.
There is the ultimate standout number, which everyone is waiting for. They tease us perfectly with ‘One‘ during the last part of the show, and when it finally happens there is glitter, sparkle and fireworks (real fireworks I might add) filling the stage. It is the most uplifting routine which will leave you wanting more, even though you’ve been sat for almost two hours straight.
A CHORUS LINE is relentless from start to finish and will satisfy all your theatrical sensations, not just the one singular they perform at the end.
A CHORUS LINE is at the New Theatre in Cardiff through to Saturday 21st September. Performances are at 7:30pm each evening with a 2:30pm matinee today (Wednesday) and Saturday. Tickets start at £20 and go to £54, depending on the day and performance you want to see. For more details go HERE.
You can also take a look at our original show feature HERE.
Just a reminder there is some guidance along with this show – This performance contains haze, loud music, strobe, theatrical smoke, discussion of bereavement, mention of physical violence and abuse, discussion of mental ill health, discussion of homophobia, discussion of discrimination, strong language, and discussion of sexual abuse. This production contains some references and language that may be unsuitable for younger children.
It also runs for 1 hour and 52 minutes without a break, so make sure you do what you need to do after visiting the bar, and reduce the drinks while you’re watching, it worked for us.
