BREAKERS
November 1986
 

Cumbernauld News – “Break Dancing”   1 | 2 | Top

Coming soon to Cumbernauld is the latest production from the local Youth Theatre.

“Breaks” is written by Nick Fearne and is a humorous and entertaining look at a tragic but all to familiar situation – the disco scene.

Friday night is boogie night. Escape from the supermarket checkout and by’s night out. Everyone is heading for “Breakers” disco.

It’s the start of a new interest for Dave – she’s called Mary. Be warned, however, it may only be dancing but choose your partner carefully.

For all the heat and excitement of the disco dance floor head on down to Cumbernauld Theatre from October 30 to November 1 where the young cast will dance the night away.

”Breakers” will also be performed at Edinburgh Theatre Workshop on Saturday, November 8.

This week sees the McCalmans providing their own particular blend of Scottish traditional material combined with songs written by group members. Tomorrow (Thursday) evening ‘s performance beings at 7.45 p.m., tickets priced £3 (concessions £1.50).

Breakers disco could be any disco, the dancers any dancers, but the situation is definitely Scottish.

Old divisions, pre-conceived ideas and everyday escapism all come under the microscope in Cumbernauld Youth Theatre’s latest production .

Friday night is boogie night and whether or not it’s the supermarket girls on an evening of fun to forget the drudgery of daytime or the boys intent on picking them up, the images are ultimately the same.

Religious division provides the cutting edge to Nick Fearn’s latest look at contemporary teenage issues. Dancing was the backcloth and for this unusual and original production .

Mary (Jackie Craighead) and Dave (Ian Tait), from both sides of the religious fence, come together for dancing, if only by accident.

Their friends polarise and in their own isolation they seek a dream, of success through dancing to victory in the disco competition at Breakers.

Both Jackie and Ian played their parts superbly, with Ian particularly impressive. There relationship was plausible, well acted out and at time a joy to watch.

The scene where Ian was taught to dance buy Jackie was by far the highlight of the night. Ian brought out the laughs from the scene brilliantly, beautifully aided, in an understated way, by Jackie.

Other excellent performance included Audrey Rankin as Kathy the scatty, lovable teenage checkout girl with a penchant for being pinned by trolley boys.

Helen Craighead as the leader of the girls, Liz provided the knife edge of religious hated at the point where Mary was breaking though the old barriers.

The dancing, very much an integral part, was well choreographed by Kate Hollands, Fiona McIntyre and, as it said in the programme, the whole company.

One small point of dissatisfaction. The final dance sequence seem to understated and possibly required a bit more to be believable. That apart, the show was as first-class. (sic)

Direction was pacy, the cast as near perfect as can be and the idea for the play itself, clever, witty and entertaining. The Youth Theatre seem to have a bottomless spit of talent and long may it continue. 

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