Stepping Out - and stepping up!

Dance teacher Mavis (centre) takes her class through its paces. Photo courtesy of The Priory.

Stepping Out written by Richard Harris, Directed by Steve Bingham, choreography by Sue Biddle, on at The Priory Theatre, Kenilworth from 1 – 11 July 2026.

Review by Ann Evans

Just like the play itself, the back stories of the cast are as interesting as the back stories of the characters. Stepping Out takes place in a typical village hall where Mavis Turner (Sarah Dietrich) teaches tap dancing to her adult pupils – all female except for one man, Geoffrey (Kev Wing).

As we get to know each of the characters who turn up for dance class, their stories unfold in small bite sized portions and snippets of dialogue which gradually build into some intriguing storylines. True to life however, we can only imagine what these characters will do when the curtain finally falls. Likewise, for the actors themselves there are some twists and turns - a major one being when Rebecca Soley who was due to play the character Andy, broke her ankle in rehearsals. Sue Biddle the show’s choreographer stepped into the role.  All credit to Sue’s acting ability as the painfully awkward Andy, as you would never have guessed she was actually the choreographer! Great character portrayal by Sue Biddle in this role – and of course as choreographer of the whole show!

Maxine (Kim Arnold) and Andy (Sue Biddle). Photo courtesy of The Priory.

Thirty-three years ago, The Priory staged Stepping Out, with Anita Dalton playing the character, Vera. In the current production Anita plays Mrs Fraser, the pianist, begrudgingly providing the music for the dancers – often in her own good time! Excellent performance by Anita who only had to walk across the stage to get laughs.

The part of Vera this time round is played by Claire Griggs. Vera is the newcomer to the tap class, and puts on plenty of airs and graces, establishing herself as someone a lot posher than the others. She also feels it’s her duty to keep the village hall spic and span. And there’s some hilarious moments and delightful comic dance moves by her as she and the class try to learn a routine for a forthcoming charity event that Mavis has roped them into.

l-r: Maxine (Kim Arnold), Andy (Sue Biddle), Lynne (Lucy Owen), Mavis (Sarah Dietrich), Geoffrey (Kev Wing), Sylvia (Dawn Morris), Vera (Claire Griggs). Photo courtesy of The Priory.

Mavis is the long-suffering dance teacher and plays the part extremely well. Hers is the patient voice of reason, and only ‘loses it’ when pushed to the limits by her troupe of novice (and dreadful) dancers!

The ‘fourth wall’ of the stage that looks out over the audience is imagined as mirrors, so the dancers are constantly checking their appearance directly at the audience. And as for the dance classes, they are brilliantly organised chaos, and I can only imagine the fun the cast had learning to dance so diabolically, getting it all so very wrong; which was very clever choreography in itself I would imagine.

Stepping Out is a play full of characters, and each one is an individual with a vibrant and unique personality all able to bring out laughs from the audience by their well-timed remarks, conversations, and behaviour.  Geoffrey played by Kev Wing is hilarious – often without even saying a word.

Mavis (Sarah Dietrich) and Lynne (Lucy Owen) share a quiet moment. Photo courtesy of The Priory.

Sylvia played by Dawn Morris is the raunchiest and most outgoing member of the class and gets lots of laughs; Dorothy played by Emma Napper takes on the part of a clumsy, awkward and boisterous young woman delightfully as she makes her debut at the Priory Theatre. Maxine played by Kim Arnold is a larger than life personality who also gets lots of laughs; Rose played by Katie McDermott is a colourful, likeable character and Lynne played by Lucy Owen is the more serious member of the dance troupe.

As we get to know the characters better, they become more intriguing, their dancing however leaves a lot to be desired – although gradually improving – and always very entertaining! The long-suffering Mavis finally blows her top, back stories come to a head and the dress rehearsal is imminent!

Geoffrey (Kev Wing). Photo courtesy of The Priory.

No spoilers as to how the finale goes but trust me when I say you will not be disappointed - with more than one surprising scenes that you'll love!

This really is a wonderfully entertaining production, genuinely funny, well-acted, well directed and definitely well-choreographed!  Congratulations to all the cast and backstage crew for putting on such a fun production.

For tickets please visit: https://www.thepriorytheatre.co.uk/whatson/stepping-out or call 0333 666 3366.