REVIEW: Fame – next generation of Midlands’ stars glow in iconic 1980's musical

The annual Stage Experience at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre returns after a two year absence – due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions – with a sparkling youth production of Fame.

The best young talent in the Midlands blazed with glory and vibrant energy in a fantastic full-scale production of the smash-hit 1980’s musical.

British director Alan Parker’s 1980 Hollywood musical film – full of colourful dancers wearing legwarmers, leotards and bandanas – not only smashed box office records but it inspired young people to explore the world of dance, music, drama and art, and also led to a fondly-remembered television series based on the successful film.

The Midlands-based performers are aiming to be the next generation of stage stars

The Alexandra Theatre has a tradition of hosting an annual production which features aspiring actors, dancers and singers who attend two weeks of intense rehearsal sessions during the summer holidays with the aim of taking take part in a show which is then unveiled upon The Alexandra’s stage.

The 2022 Stage Experience showcases Fame with a huge cast of performers aged between 9 and 24. The richly diverse 60-strong crew showed no fear and no stage fright as they brought to life the music and drama at the heart of Fame.

This exciting new production of Fame, which is presented by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe), may feature amateur performers – some treading the stage for the very first time – but judging from the quality of talent on display these gifted young people are on the road to becoming stars of the future.

The Alexandra Stage Experience returns after an absence of two years due to the covid-19 lockdown — The Alexandra Stage Experience returns after an absence of two years due to the COVID-19 lockdown

The show is conceived and developed by David De Silva, book by Jose Fernandez, lyrics by Jacques Levy, music by Steve Margoshes, and the iconic title song Fame which is written by Dean Pitchford and Michael Gore.

The dramatic story follows the final class of New York City’s celebrated High School for the Performing Arts through their struggles, fears and personal triumphs as they navigate the world of art, music and dance.

The bittersweet and uplifting musical is filled with unforgettable songs including Out Here On My Own, These Are My Children, Let’s Play a Love Scene and of course the Oscar and Grammy award-winning theme song Fame which reached the No.1 spot in several countries when it was released as a single by Irene Cara (who also played the role of Coco in the film).

The young cast of Fame went through two weeks of intense rehearsals

What makes this latest Stage Experience especially noteworthy and forward-thinking is that some of the young people involved in the production are also given the opportunity to work behind-the-scenes and take control of some of the artistic and technical aspects of the show including lighting and sound, and gain valuable experience in a field that is often notoriously difficult to enter.

This bold and adventurous annual theatrical experience is an exciting platform for future stars, and the young cast and crew of Fame at The Alexandra deserve to be applauded for their dedication and commitment, and for giving the audience a thrilling night.

The next generation of Midlands talent lit up the Birmingham stage with lively and lusty performances which had the audience rewarding them with a standing ovation at the climax.

Fame the Stage Experience is currently playing at The Alexandra Theatre in Birmingham until Saturday 27 August