Workington Playgoers are busy rehearsing the popular 1980s feel-good show Stepping Out by Richard Harris, which they will perform at the Theatre Royal, Workington, early next month.

Written in the 1980s, Stepping Out won the 1984 Evening Standard award for best comedy.

The story follows the lives of seven women and one man (Geoffrey, the ‘doormat’) who meet at a weekly dance class in a dingy North London church hall to tap their troubles away.

The group are accompanied by miserable, moaning pianist Mrs Fraser.

Led by the patient ex-professional Mavis, the beginners start their journey with two left feet and end up exceeding all expectations when they are asked to perform in a public charity gala.

Playgoers’ veteran Pat Brinicombe, who took part in a previous Playgoers’ production back in 1993, now returns as director.

And some of the performers have real-life experience of joining tap dance classes as mature students, though they say they’ve never won any competitions.

The 2019 production features Kelly Pearce, Alyson Douglas, Emma Morgan, Joanne Ritson, Marc Baillie, Sarah Delorme, Nicola Woodier, Anne Bowmer and Jane Douglas.

The play runs from April 2 to April 6 at Theatre Royal, Workington. Performances start at 7.30pm. Tickets, at £11.50 (£10.50 concessions), are available online at http://www.theatre-royal-workington.co.uk/stepping-out/ or on the door, or by leaving a message on 01900 603161.