REVIEW: Fame the Musical at the Palace Theatre, Manchester

After a not so successful production of Fame in 2014, produced by Bill Kenwright, the return of the show was a slight surprise to many in the industry. Selladoor productions haven’t got the best reputation here at pocket, with their productions often slated as cheap and amateurish. However, the bar has been raised with this new production. 

Fame tells the story of a new year beginning at a performing arts school and the challenges they face going through that. Unfortunately, the writing didn’t allow the storylines to really develop very much and a lot of things were skimmed past but the elements that were explored were good and had the audience wrapped around the productions little finger. 

An element that fills me with dread are the two words ‘Actor Musician’. I have seen far too many productions where this is used as a way to avoid spending money and it hasn’t worked but this was very carefully done. Only a few actors play instruments but it’s within the context of the show and showcased the actors amazingly. 

Where are they now? Fame: The Musical

Following on from How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria (Search for Maria in The Sound of Music), Any Dream Will Do (Search for Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat), I'd Do Anything (Search for Nancy in Oliver), Over the Rainbow (Search for Dorothy in The Wizard of OZ) and Grease is the Word (Search for Danny and Sandy in Grease), another programme popped up in Ireland! This time, it was to search for the role of Nick and Serena in Fame the Musical that was going to tour Ireland. Robert C Kelly, Erica Gimpel, Simon Delaney and Jacinta Whyte were the TV shows judges with Derek Mooney hosting. If you are a theatre geek like me, you'll remember these TV shows! And if you don't, you'll certainly know some of the contestants. So, where are they now? 

Jessica Cervi

After winning the show and playing the role of Serena in the Irish production of Fame, Jessica went on to originate the role of Bernie in the London company of The Commitments at the Palace Theatre. @JessicaCervi ‏

Ben Morris

Since winning the role of Nick in Fame, Ben has gone on to appear as Tribe and cover Claude/Berger in Hair (Deutsches Theatre Munich & European Arena Tour); ensemble and cover played Piangi in Phantom of The Opera (Her Majesty’s Theatre); Alternate 'Deco' in The Commitments (UK Tour); ensemble and understudy BArry in Beautiful: The Carol King Musical (UK Tour) and Michael in I Do! I Do! (Upstairs at the Gatehouse). He most recently appeared in the West End cast of Waitress in the ensemble and understudied the role of Cal and Joe. @benmorrisactor ‏

Séan Carey 

After just missing out on the role of Nick in Fame, Séans credits since the show include Borstal Boy (Gaiety Theatre); Tobias in Sweeney Todd (Cork Opera House); Fyedka in Fiddler on the Roof (Gaiety Theatre); Cover Max, Robert and Trevor in The Play that Goes Wrong (Duchess Theatre); Dave in The Clockmakers Daughter (Studio Cast Recording and Cadogan Hall) and Sam in the UK tour of The Comedy About a Bank Robbery, a role he most recently reprised in the West End company of the show at the Criterion Theatre. @Seanannigans91 ‏

Sarah O'Connor

Sarah went on to play the Mistress in Evita (Phoenix Theatre); Imelda Quirke in the original cast of The Commitments (Palace Theatre); Swing and cover Eponine in Les Miserables (Queens Theatre) and Ensemble and cover Sophie in Mamma Mia! (The Prince of Wales Theatre). Most recently she was seen in the original West End cast of Waitress as a swing and understudied the roles of Dawn and Jenna. @Scoconnor ‏

Roísín Magee

Since the show, Roísín has gone on to become a PhD researcher at the Queen's University in Belfast. 

Michael Joseph

Since the show, Michael has gone on to appear as Billy in Angela's Ashes (UK & Ireland Tour); Davy in Find Your Way Home (Symphony Space, New York); Cinderella and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Grand Opera House, Belfast; Lead Vocalist on AIDA and Princess Cruises; Vocalist in Josh Groban - All That Echoes (The O2, Dublin); Aladdin, Alice in Wonderland and Cinderella (Cork Opera House) and Snow White at the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton. 

Conleth Kane

He moved into songwriting and recording in 2016. His theatre credits include Jake in Molly Wobbly (Lyric Theatre, Belfast/ Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh Fringe); Naked Boys Singing - Original West End Cast (Arts Theatre, London); Lefou in Walt Disney's 'Beauty and the Beast (UK/International tour); Scarecrow in the RSC's The Wizard of Oz (Lyric Theatre, Belfast) and he covered the title role in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (UK Tour); Major Pong in Aladdin for First Family Entertainment (Liverpool Empire Theatre); Peter Pan and Aladdin (Millennium Forum, Derry); Ugly in the Irish Premiere of HONK! (Armagh Market Place Theatre); Blaze (Bridewell Theatre, London) and Down In the Valley (Welsh National Opera). @ConlethKane ‏

Caoimhe Garvey 

After the show, Caoimhe went to study musical theatre at the Mountview Academy of Performing Arts, graduating in 2014. Since then she has played Princess Jasmine in Aladdin in Newbury; Wendy Peter Pan at the Grand Opera House; Princess Jasmin in Aladdin (Cork Opera House) and Maid Marion in TWANG!! at the Union Theatre @CaoimheGarvey

Hollie O'Donoghue

Hollie went on to play Eponine in Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre, having previously understudied the role. Her other credits since the show include Alternate Imelda, swing and understudy Natalie in The Commitments (Palace Theatre); Annette in Saturday Night Fever (Royal Caribbean International) Peter Pan (Grand Opera House) and Evelyn Nesbit in Ragtime (The Landor Theatre). @HollieODonoghue 

Stuart Pollock

Stuart works in business management whilst still engaging in regional theatre. He studied an MA in Musical Theatre at the Guildford School of Acting, graduating in 2015. @pollock_stuart ‏

Philomena Fitzpatrick

Philomena went on to study at the Central School of Speech and Drama and graduated in 2012. 

Drew Millar

Drew is currently working in Health and Wellbeing whilst also working in events. You can listen to some of his vocal recordings on his Soundcloud, here. @drewmillar1 ‏

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