Tap For Fun

The following reviews are of shows by 'Tap For Fun' who have a large following without the need for extensive marketing. They still fill the Compass to the rafters.

Tap For Fun
Reach For The Stars
The Compass Theatre
16th–20th October 2007

Many people might consider tap dancing as something of a forgotten art-form harking back to the days of the glorious Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly in the 1940’s and 50’s. But let me assure you that tap is alive and kicking and doing very nicely thank you, in our very own borough of Hillingdon.

So how does a group of 45 tap dancers put together an evening’s entertainment without it being simply a procession of tap routines? Well, they wrote their own show of course. The story, written by Dawn Hunter and Kim Shakespeare follows the McTap family, Granny McTap and her three lovely grandchildren Millie, Marti and Max all of whom want to ‘Reach for the Stars.’ Granny became the narrator, guide and compere for the show as we followed their individual journeys towards their goal of fame and fortune.

The narrative of the kids’ rise to stardom was brilliantly delivered by Grandma played by the inimitable Adele Harris who sat in her armchair on the apron of the stage. She has proved before that she can hold an audience and she did so again tonight with wit and panache.

We followed the three kids played by Georgina Phuare, Sally Birch and Ben Banks as they each found jobs and often much more than they bargained for. We were treated to numbers from Chicago, Guys and Dolls, Starlight Express, Riverdance, Kiss me Kate and much more before the three of them came home to a very proud Grandma. The routines were stunning, the co-ordination amazing especially with twenty or so dancers all tapping the same thunderous steps – it was spine-tingling. I must admit I left thinking “How on earth do they learn all those steps in so many numbers’.

Well, I don’t know how they did it but I’m very glad I was there to witness it, the show was a sensation and everyone associated with it should be justly proud. Congratulations to the producers Jean Chamberlain, Shirley Spurling, and Georgina Phuare assisted by Dawn Hunter and Kim Shakespeare. It’s not surprising that they are one of the few groups in the area that sell out at the Compass weeks in advance and on tonight’s performance the queue for the next show will be around the block.

Simon Tidball


Tap For Fun
Circle of Life
The Compass Theatre
11th – 14th February 2009

In this age of rolling news, 24 hour TV channels, computer games, downloading and reality shows one might think that the noble art of tap dancing may have been consigned to the archives. But not so, Hillingdon’s very own Troupe ‘Tap For Fun’ continue to thrive.

Their latest show ‘Circle of Life’ written and directed by group members Dawn Hunter and Kim Shakespeare is the tale of how the gods of Alphios journey through the ages of the Earth’s history, reflecting upon its beauty, cultures and the people who have shaped its history.

Opening with the Circle of Life from the Lion King featuring the whole company we were then led through the history of time by the goddess Zethena played with her usual panache by Adele Harris. We moved through cave capers featuring Stone Age drummers onto the development of steam engines and on through medical science.

One of the most astonishing aspects of the show was the costume changes. Many of the numbers featured the whole cast of forty dancers all in matching costumes only to be replaced moments later by another set of different costumes, and then again and again. Backstage at the Compass theatre must have been bedlam but to their credit the changes were very smooth.

The quality of the dancing was as high as ever and the sight and sound of a stage full of tappers thundering the same steps was awe-inspiring. I felt the theme laboured slightly on Dickens in the second act but all the numbers were well delivered and included one of my personal favourites ‘Master of the House’ from Les Miserables.

The cast and crew have obviously worked extremely hard on the show and should be justly proud of their achievement. Congratulations to the producers Jean Chamberlain, Shirley Spurling and Dawn Hunter. Despite having a great following, the show’s Producer, Jean Chamberlain explains that they are having to move from their current home in Park View Road, Hillingdon and are desperately looking for a new base from which to train and rehearse. If you can help contact Jean by email at jeanrod@blueyonder.co.uk

Simon Tidball