DANCING has become a way of life for three members of the cast of Sinodun Players’ latest production.

Not only are they busy attending rehearsals for comedy drama Stepping Out, by Richard Harris, but the trio are also taking tap-dancing lessons at Wallingford’s Kinecroft Academy.

Meg Harmer, Fiona Prince and Sue Ledger decided on the move after realising their roles in the award-winning play about a tap-dancing class required the conquering of some complicated dance routines.

Now the absolute beginners are finding their real lives are almost beginning to mimic their on-stage characters, and a whole new vocabulary of technical terms such as ‘tap springs’, ‘stomp’ and ‘cramp rolls’ is rolling off their lips in casual conversation.

Sue said: “Sometimes it’s as if the dance classes and the play rehearsals are the same thing and we almost forget which one we’re at! At the classes, we’re novices learning to tap and in the play, we’re also novices learning to tap. It’s quite surreal.”

And her fellow aspiring tapper Meg said: “We’re all absolutely loving it and it has just taken over our lives. “I’m dancing all the time, even in my slippers in the kitchen! We’re living and sleeping dancing.”

She added: “Yes, it’s hard, and if I’d known at the start what we had to do, I would have been too daunted to try, but I’m really glad I did.” The trio’s weekly lessons with academy principal Virginia Chell, who is also the show’s choreographer, are in addition to the Players’ intensive rehearsal schedule with her and Sinodun’s dance captain Louise Print-Lyons for the show due to be performed at the town’s Corn Exchange theatre from Tuesday to Saturday, May 20 to 24, at 7.45pm.

Set in a weekly tap dancing class in a dingy church hall in north London, Stepping Out tells the story of a group of wannabe lady tappers of varying levels of ability and one gauche male (Graham Watt) who are just about picking up the basic steps when they discover to their horror that they are to perform at a charity gala.

Despite initially viewing the class more as an opportunity for social chit-chat than dance, they eventually get to grips with routines. But, as their learning progresses, it becomes evident that everyone, including their teacher, former professional dancer Mavis (Kirsty Elkin), comes with a degree of emotional baggage. Meg, Fiona and Sue are joined in the tapping team by Ginny Avery, Nikki Godding, Niki Pusey, Judy Vaughan and Jay Berry. The show’s director Ric Harley described Stepping Out as a “bums-on-seats quality play”. She said: “I wanted to do a comedy with lots of parts for women. This play gives plenty of opportunity for physical comedy as well as comic interplay between the characters.

“I also knew that the Sinodun Players’ ladies would love the challenge to tap dance.” She added: “Some of the cast are experienced dancers, some have rusty skills and others haven’t tapped at all so for them the learning curve has been very steep. “Sometimes, I’m not sure if they are quoting the play or talking about their own concerns and problems!

“But they have all been totally dedicated to learning the new skill. They are finding it difficult but fun. Rehearsals are definitely a lot of fun — and very noisy.

“I am truly amazed how much they have picked up since we started rehearsing in February.” Ric concluded: “This is definitely a must-see production. It is very funny. Good acting skills are required to combine dancing with dialogue and the cast are absolutely amazing.” Supporting members of the cast include Catherine Lidbetter, Jean Simmons, Rebecca Cleverley, Sue Brown and Clare Dewell.

Tickets for the show are £10 and are available from the theatre box office on 01491 825000 or online at: www.cornexchange.org.uk