Review - 42nd Street at Shrewbury's Walker Theatre

42nd Street

Walker Theatre, Shrewsbury

Review by David Seadon

They came far and wide to meet those dancing feet. And I'm sure the elderly American couple sitting directly in front of me perhaps appreciated more than most a slice of the Big Apple coming to the stage in Shrewsbury.

What is he talking about I hear you ask? Well, up to 200 people packed into Theatre Severn's Walker Theatre for the opening night of a three-date production of hit Broadway musical 42nd Street last night.

Admittedly, it wasn't a sell out. But quite frankly at just £12 a ticket it should have been. For the Shrewsbury-based Viv Kelly Youth Theatre Group this was the culmination of three months of hard work and dedication – and it has certainly paid off.

There were minor hiccups along the way, for instance the microphone on one of the lead actresses decided to play up at the start, but what is clear is that Shropshire has some real rising actors and actresses who could well end up in New York's Broadway or London's West End in years to come.

Close your eyes and let your imagination wander and you could have quite easily been sat watching the show in the 'City That Never Sleeps', as the audience laughed, clapped and hummed along to the two-hour performance.

The 35-strong cast of teenagers lit up the stage with a youthful exuberance and brought the award-winning 1980 Broadway musical to life in Shropshire's county town.

Some of the intricate tap-dancing footwork was so impressive, yet startling, that it almost made me feel dizzy.

I'm the first to admit my last, and first, musical was Saturday Night Fever on Broadway in 2000 as a mere 11-year-old. But after seeing such great rising talent on this side of the Atlantic, and right on our doorstep, I don't think it will be another 12 years until my next appearance.

Don't take my word for it though, go yourself.