A Chorus Line, Exeter Northcott, Tuesday 24th January to Saturday 29th January, 7.30pm
By Jenna Richards
For the second time in two years I was dazzled by the talent on show at the Exeter University Footlights annual production.
The student musical theatre company put on a tremendous interpretation of A Chorus Line at the Northcott theatre. After watching two high quality productions in two years I am already looking forward to next year’s offering.
A Chorus Line is about 17 dancers fighting for a part in a Broadway musical.
The characters, each with their own back story cleverly woven into the plot, need to not only sell their skills but also themselves.
Standing in a line on the stage with director Zach, played by Nick Kenchington, is cleverly hidden in the audience as he probes each of the wannabes about their life story. For some this is the chance of a lifetime, for others it is just another audition.
The staging of this production was wonderfully simple and highly effective. A black set with the occasional addition of a dance mirror provided the backdrop for the show and left you focusing on the characters and their individually brilliant performances.
Costumes were simple and well tailored to the personality of the character, giving you a flavour of what might be to come before they’d even open their mouth.
The show combined excellent singing, fabulous dancing with some unique a-symmetrical choreography, a great scrip and plenty of humour. I’m sure there must be dazaling careers ahead for some of these performers.
The show is on until Saturday and I would urge anyone who loves a good musical to go and see it – otherwise you’ll have to wait until next year.