Fame was performed at the Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome.
Star rating: four stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ✩
The National Youth Music Theatre initiative has kicked off its summer season, and if this strong start is an indication of what’s to come, we’re in for a very good time.
With past alumni including Kerry Ellis and Amara Okereke, the training programme develops youngsters with a passion for theatre and helps them on their paths, so this first show is a very fitting one. The impressively large group of talented youngsters have taken on the perfect show to symbolise their dreams of finding careers and “living forever” in the performing arts industry with their production of Fame, which is the first of six productions that NYMT are running in Birmingham this month.
Adapted from the 1980 film of the same name, Fame first hit US stages in 1988 and has seen numerous incarnations and reworkings since, which have replaced the film’s notorious grittiness with a lighter approach on the stage.
The musical tells the story of a group of teenage students who dream of becoming singers and dancers, and who have to be the absolute best of the best in order to make it, while also navigating the troubled waters of adolescence. From potential lovebirds Nick (Lucas Shirtcliffe and Holly Dack) exploring romance through Shakespeare, to class clowns Tyrone (Uzuazo O’David) and Jose (Adam Byrne), to the feisty Carmen (Nia Murray-Gonsalves) who just wants to be famous, the story brings us into each of their lives.
Young love, drugs and the general awkwardness of being a teenager are all explored, with each character going through some kind of struggle, along with teachers Ms Bell (Sophie Abboud) and Ms Sherman (Tochi Arinze) trying via different methods to keep the students on their paths to potential fame.
In truth, Fame never was the strongest of musicals, with the music (Steve Margoshes) and lyrics (Jacques Levy) never really catching light with few standout numbers. Audiences expecting a score in line with the iconic title track may feel underwhelmed.
However, that shouldn’t take anything away from the achievements of the NYMT cast, who do a fantastic job with the material and deliver strong performances. Director Jonathan O’Boyle puts his young cast’s talent front and centre, and the somewhat lacklustre score is still delivered with some great vocals. The show is modesty staged but it suits the piece, and the large cast fill the space well, particularly in the ensemble numbers.
Most impressive of all are the energy levels and dance skills on show from the youngsters, with Lauren Stroud’s complex choreography thrillingly delivered. A particular highlight comes at the start of Act II, with a ‘street tap’ performed by two hugely talented young men, blending the classic with the modern and showcasing more of these performers’ undoubtedly promising futures.
There are definitely some stars for the future in this cast, which is wonderful to see. Shirtcliffe does a terrific job leading the show as Nick, a true triple-threat and excelling on all fronts. Murray-Gonsalves makes for a feisty Carmen, again delivering some fierce vocals while also making us care for her character’s downward spiral, particularly in the show’s later scenes.
O’David and Byrne bring remarkable comedy chops to the respective roles of Tyrone and Jose, while Dack is also hugely impressive as Serena, showing off a powerhouse voice of professional standard which is bound to fill West End auditoriums one day.
Kyle McAlister also makes a memorable impression as Schlomo, giving off an effortless likeability and great voice despite fewer book scenes and solos.
It’s a strong cast with likeable principals all around, and everyone does well. American accents are also delivered effectively across the board, so often the death knell of many amateur performances, but done really well here.
It’s hugely encouraging to see such young talent on the first steps of their potential careers, and while Fame may not be the best musical in the world, this NYMT production is well worth seeing for the talent on that stage, and the rousing finale of the title track is guaranteed to bring a good time.
These performers could be the stars of tomorrow, and if the upcoming productions of Tuck Everlasting, Lightning Boy, Crescendo, Carousel and FairGround hit the same standard, Birmingham looks set to have a fantastic few weeks of entertainment. Well done everyone at NYMT, your future is looking incredibly bright.
Rob Bartley
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