THIS is the original stage play which went on to inspire the 1991 movie version starring Liza Minnelli and the 1997 musical.

Written in 1984 by the prolific Richard Harris, Stepping Out tells the story of exchorus girl Mavis trying to teach a weekly tap class in an old church hall to a varied collection of hopeless amateurs.

Their stumbling attempts – with delicious dramatic irony – at I Got Rhythm and Let’s Face The Music And Dance are painfully hilarious as the disparate characters bicker, bitch and eventually disintegrate.

Many of these characters could easily become caricatures, yet ten tremendous actors make them all so real.

Particularly mesmeric are Kelly Price as vivacious new student Vera, and Elizabeth Power as grumpy Mrs Fraser, the piano accompanist.

The social atmosphere of the 1980s is effectively recreated, with high unemployment problems, and a shocking reminder of the Thatcher Government’s plans to turn city centre commons into mass graves in the event of nuclear war.

As the dancers desperately prepare for their end-of-term charity show, and personal secrets are revealed, relationships falter and characters crack...

how will they possibly put on a show?

The fun finale reinforces the play’s timeless analysis of amateurs who want to experience the spotlights.

Runs until October 6.