Stepping Out is a warm, lively comedy set in a modest North London church hall, where a mismatched weekly tap-dance class discovers that friendship and persistence matter more than perfect footwork. The ensemble — from the frazzled, overloaded but caring teacher to the hesitant dancers and the lone male student — gradually transforms from a group of reluctant participants into a supportive yet unlikely team preparing for a charity performance. The humour comes naturally from their clashes, missteps, and eclectic personalities, while quieter moments reveal personal growth, resilience, and the joy of belonging.
At Guide Bridge Theatre, known for its strong community theatre and ambitious production standards, the cast delivered warmth, energy, and timing that brought each character to life. The choreography by Jenny Saville— whether hilariously tentative or impressively precise — and the theatre’s intimate, welcoming atmosphere made the audience feel part of the class, amplifying the play’s charm.
Audience decorum was slightly off to begin with phones, late arrivals, chatting and even phone checking but this settled quickly.
Mavis the dance teacher (Jenny Saville) anchors the group with authority and a subtle vulnerability, later revealing an unwanted pregnancy/husband. While Sylvia’s (Anna Evans) hilarious, streetwise , bolshi and brash working class character drove the liveliness and a most of the comedy. Together, they set the tone of the class, balancing leadership and personality well.
Andy’s (Kari Rittoo) awkward charm and understated humour complement Rose’s (Mari Sevo) warmth and encouragement. I didn’t really understand the wig in act 1. Both characters provide emotional depth and illustrate the growth of the tap class as a group. Maxine’s (Rosarie Walsh) had a sharp wit played as a vibrant Irish woman with feist and a back story that came across as well as her vivid eye makeup. She had a fabulous wardrobe. This contrasts with Lynne’s (Susie Haddaway’s) nervous energy. Nurse by day but unconfident in her own ability and shining through in the finale. Their journeys — one bold, one quietly endearing — add variety and heartfelt moments to the story. Dorothy’s (Michelle Lockwood) quirky characterisation showed a DWP worker who was clearly a little OCD and needed to get it right and just wanted to do and be good on and off stage. while Vera’s (Shelley Ridler) grounded, practical, snotty and taking presence stabilises the group. She shared a lot of the comedy in this piece. This altogether enriched the ensemble and balanced the classroom chaos.
The lone man in the group Geoffrey (Damien Cullen) played with a slight campness but sincerity and nervous disposition was a lovely turn. The tap class’ pianist Mrs Fraser (Linda McAllinden) contributed well to the proceedings and showed that she too could tap in the finale.
Special credit must go to the director, Quina Chapman, production coordinator Vicky Jeffers and choreographer whose vision clearly shaped an entertaining production, and to the stage crew, lighting, and sound teams, whose attention to detail enhanced the moments on stage. Their combined efforts ensured that this was a polished, lively, and thoroughly enjoyable production of this play. I personally find it a little dated now and things don’t land as well as they did when it was first written.
Overall, Stepping Out proved to be highly enjoyable and engaging production, with detailed and thoughtful direction that explored the nuances of the characters’ lives and personalities. Although there were moments where clarity and projection from some performers could have been stronger, resulting in occasional lines being lost, this only mildly disrupted the audience’s enjoyment.. The choreography was delivered with evident care and discipline, and the commitment of the tappers paid off to strong effect, as the final number landed confidently and with real impact, bringing the evening to a highly satisfying close.
Reviewers - Kathryn Gorton and Beryl Reece Brennan
On - 27th January 2026
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