Mavis, a former professional dancer now teaches a class of adult would-be tappers. Join us at Titchfield Festival Theatre for fun and laughter as Mavis navigates her way through the drama that erupts between this group of students of all different ages. Can she get them on stage for their first stage performance? Stepping Out performs on stage at TFT between the 10 – 15 June 2024.

Simon Frost spoke to Becky Ebsworth is the director of Stepping Out:

Simon: Why did you choose to direct the play? What do you think the key message of the play is?

Becky: Stepping Out is one of my favourite plays and I loved watching it as a child. Having danced since the age of 5, owned my own dance school and taught many an adult tap class, I know that the classes are not only about tapping or dancing but about the people you meet and the support you get. I love how Stepping Out explores the journeys of everyone’s lives, good and bad, whilst showing the blossoming relationships and support. The show also adds the much loved humour and joy that also comes with their weekly meet up.

Simon: Do you intend the focus of the play to lean towards comedy; or will it have a more heartwarming tone?

Becky: This show really does combine the two. The journey of learning to tap dance really does give such humour to the show as everyone is a beginner whilst we delve into the more heart-warming and sometimes sad private lives of the class; showing us just how important the class is and the joyous support it brings each and every one of them. 

Simon: What kind of atmosphere are you looking to create for the dance hall setting?

Becky: The show is set in a rundown church hall in London. The windows are dirty, there is mismatched furniture and glimpses of other community groups using the hall. This shows that our dance teacher Mavis is far from her professional past and is doing what she loves with what she has. 

Simon: Tap dancing can be quite technical - how will you balance this with the more comedic elements?

Becky: The joy of this show is that everyone in this class is a beginner so the need for professional technical dancing is not the main requirement. For anyone who has ever done a tap class will know that learning to dance comes with many mistakes, wrong feet and falling about laughing. Stepping Out gives a perfect balance as we see their technique get better whilst the audience joins them in the humour along the way.

Simon: Will there be any stage effects or special choreography - that you can share with us?

Becky: I am very lucky to have four dancers who have joined us in the cast who bring us some fantastic more advanced tap dancing for our audience. They have been working with my assistant Choreographer, Arwen, and we have created some lovely dances for you all to enjoy and really add the extra sparkle to the show. 

Simon: Can you also share with us please any thoughts as to how you will use sound and music in the story?

Becky: Music forms a big part of this show and is constantly present throughout. From Mrs Fraser our rehearsal pianist who plays for the class, in addition to big musical tap and jazz numbers to entertain us all.

Simon: Do you think it will appeal to a broad audience - not just those interested in tap dancing - and why?

Becky: Stepping Out will appeal to everyone! The play is not just about the tap dancing but about the characters we see. They are very different from each other, and I feel that whoever comes to watch will be able to relate to someone. It may inspire one to take a tap dance or class, enable others to reminisce about something they have done in the past… or to simply to sit back and enjoy the relationships between the characters and laugh along with them.

Thank you Becky.

Stepping Out performs in the Oak Theatre at Titchfield Festival Theatre from 10 – 15 June 2024. For more information including booking tickets please go to http://titchfieldfestivaltheatre.com/  or contact our Box Office on 0333 666 3366.