Dance The Night Away
Written by: Blackmore Players
Directed by: Rosemarie Nelson
May 2007
Every year it's harder to come up with a theme for our spring musical show.
However, when Ian said that he
would like to produce "Last Tango in Blackmore", we all dug out our dancing shoes - with varying degrees of
enthusiasm!! After all, anything the BBC can do - Blackmore can do better! Well - perhaps our dance steps
might not be quite as nifty as Matt Dawson or Mark Ramprakash - but hopefully you'll enjoy "Dance the Night
Away" - featuring Simply Fun Dancing, our version of the popular TV show with a similar name!
Cast List
Character
Actor
The Company
Jean Appleton;Margaret Boreham;Linda Cearns;Irene Davis;Phil Davis;Ann Doherty;Keith Goody;Barbara Harrold;Simon Haskell;Martin Herford;Mike Jefferyes;Barry Kirk;Jacqui Macdonald;Tamzin Mills;Rosemarie Nelson;Janet Parr;Amy Pudney;Carol Riley;John Riley;Laura Simkins;Sarah Taylor;Ken Templey;Sandra Trott;Glenys Young;
Last Tango In Blackmore
Gordon
Barry Kirk
Bernard
Simon Haskell
Joyce
Irene Davis
Margaret
Glenys Young
Reviews
It is a constant source of wonder to me that small villages can mount a production with 30 enthusiastic performers and perhaps as many volunteers backstage and front of house. And yet Blackmore Players not only did that but filled the Village Hall with 120 or so appreciative people each night.Dance the Night Away was a musical revue that included a genuinely funny play in Act One - Last Tango in Blackmore - and a spoof on Strictly Come Dancing in Act 2. Although the proceedings were overlong in my opinion, I am convinced that any cast member that wanted a chance to do a solo item or a duet had that opportunity, thus providing valuable stage experience to those that wanted it.
All four performers in Last Tango in Blackmore were well characterized and those of us involved in amdram recognized the stereotypes very readily - even the ladies willing to get their kit off if the part requires it! This play was a genuine highlight and hinted at the dramatic talent contained within the larger group.
Simply Fun Dancing in Act 2 was a clever idea, creating a framework for moresinging and dancing as well as introducing some comedy through the panel of judges and the excellent Drew and Jess. Many of the song and dance routines were well conceived but my favourites always seemed to include Keith. This extremely tall gentleman, with a permanent grin and wonderfully gangly legs (emphasized with platform shoes) was a master of disguise, appearing as a teddy boy in Come Outside and as "Baby" in the Dirty Dancing classic, Time of Your Life. The reproduction of the famous lift in that number was hilarious. The company seemed to be enjoying themselves as did the audience, one or two members of which didn't seem to know how to behave appropriately but I cant believe they live in Blackmore! Thank you for a fun evening.
Stewart Adkins, NODA