Cohen) and Andy (Lucy Michaliszyn) who lacks self-esteem and forms a bond with the only man in the group, Geoffrey (Jack Martin) who has recently been widowed. It would seem that this group get on well with each other and allow individuals the space to be themselves while in class, but the dynamic is changed by the arrival of Vera (Sharon Shaw). As the play unfolds, we get glimpses of their own private lives away from the class and by the end we get to know something about each one of the characters, whether that be their marriage is a happy one, that they are struggling financially, that they have a need to be needed or life just ticks along and they find dancing a distraction from the humdrum. There are also darker undertones to some characters. Sharon Shaw was excellent in the role of the new member, Vera. The line delivery was superb. From this we conclude that Vera doesn’t mean what she says but doesn’t give thought, either, to the impact it has on others. Many of her lines caused the audience to laugh or take an intake of breath, such as her retort to Sylvia, “I used to be fat you know”, delivered as she surveyed herself in a lycra leotard in front of an imaginary mirror while she surveyed herself. As the lines were delivered with no emotion it added to the sense of comedy. As we learn more about Vera, we assume that the tap class is her escape. It means that she doesn’t have to think too much about the relationship between her daughter and husband. She fills every spare moment with something, endlessly cleaning if she has spare moments. This portrayal of a character such as Vera was outstanding. The opposite to this is Andy, played by Lucy Michaliszyn. The character is quiet and withdraw and it seems that she uses the class as an escape from her domestic life. Although we are not directly told, we assume she is a victim of domestic violence due to the use of a cardigan to cover her arms, and at one point, wearing a bandage. There is a smouldering anger welling up inside this character which explodes as tensions arise.
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