Culture writer Aislin Slater reviews A Chorus Line, praising its unique portrayal of the chorus, powerful staging, and Carly Mercedes Dyer’s standout performance as Cassie
Eat, sleep, dance, succeed. The dreams of every performer is that of stardom; to be the talk of the theatre world. How hard are these aspirations to achieve? Is love for the arts worth sacrificing job security and wages? A Chorus Line explores the cut-throat nature of the performing arts world, allowing a rare window into a Broadway audition room and the desperation of a performer.
A Chorus Line banishes the stereotypical function of the chorus in theatrical productions, with each performer having their time to shine
The characters step away from their traditional supporting role, becoming main characters in their own right, as their stories are introduced. The characters establish a connection with the audience who find themselves rooting for specific members to be hired.
The lighting, staging, and set design are greatly utilised to illustrate the context behind the unfolding narrative to the audience.
A Chorus Line features a stripped stage equipped with five mirrors, chairs to stage left, and one thick line towards the front of the stage. This being the chorus line, signifying a route all performers take when pursuing their dreams. The line divides soloists as they convey their story to the casting director and audience when the spotlight is on them. Beyond this illuminated line, the remainder of the cast reenact their narrative, as if they were the chorus to the character’s life. This proved extremely effective as it incorporates movement and sound across the stage, filling up the otherwise barren space. Ultimately, the line unites the cast whilst allowing individualisation to occur at the same time. As they all dance and sing the same, they are allowed to break free from their group to present their individual talent.
A camera and large screen suspended above the stage allow moments of intimacy between the characters and the audience. A choreographer walks along the line, passing by the faces of eager, nervous, and confident auditionees. This is a believable addition to the narrative, as if they were being filmed for review of their dance ability, inviting the audience to become privy to the decision process. Throughout the show this camera is used to convey dramatic imagery such as when the character Diana Morales delivers her solo ‘Nothing’. Here, the camera faces the audience, depicting Diana’s dramatic silhouette reaching for a singular light at the back of the dark theatre as if she were stretching for stardom. This image relays the dreams and ambition of the character, going through this gruelling process time and time again to feed her passion to perform.
A standout character is Cassie, played by Carly Mercedes Dyer
Dyer’s character is singled out from the beginning by the casting director, Zach, who has previous experience of her performing talents. Cassie made her way from being a member of the chorus to a main character performer on Broadway, her rise to stardom landed her in Hollywood, where she discovered she could not act. After two years of unemployment, and struggling to land commercial or background roles, Cassie auditions for the chorus to re-ignite her career. Dyer’s sensational number of ‘The Music and the Mirror’ conveys her character’s passion for dance. As she faces the five mirrors placed downstage, she glides and turns as if she were consumed by the choreography. Her body is no longer her own, but an instrument for the music. Cassie’s narrative highlights the resilience of the performing world, as she did not allow her rejections and faults to be her downfall.
A Chorus Line presents a cast linked by desperation, fuelled by their love of performance, to highlight job insecurity and sustainability of the performing arts.
Overall, the characters conclude there is no other choice than to follow their dreams. The glittering closing number ‘One’ uses doubling to relay every chorus performer’s talent, as they work hard to fit any role required of them. Ultimately, A Chorus Line presents the unfair fact that landing a role does not surmount to the ability of the performer alone. This production comes highly recommended, the cast give their all to deliver a stunning and honest account of the theatre world.
(A Chorus line plays at The Birmingham Hippodrome until the 14th of September)
Rating: 5/5
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