Last updated at 11:52, Saturday, 04 April 2009

Leg warmers: check. Sweat bands: check. Cap:check. The big day is here and it’s time to revisit the technicolour 80s and join the stars of Fame.

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Watching the hit musical as it visited the Sands Centre in Carlisle earlier this week, I drifted off to a time years ago when it seemed my efforts in ballet lessons could still lead to a life on the stage.

And despite my dancing days now being limited to a drunken Botchergate shuffle every now and then, I couldn’t help but jump at the chance of joining the cast as they stretched, spun and star-jumped their way through rehearsals ahead of their latest big show.

Life at the New York School of Performing Arts always sounded more glamorous than Trinity School and, although I was 20 years too late, I was determined to stake my claim for one last shot at the big time.

I limber up and practice at home ahead of my dance session, spending days doing star jumps in the air trying to mimic the real dancers in the show. I am nervous but unbelievably excited as I arrive at the Sands Centre and check in with tour manager Nick Storey.

He hands me some clothes to wear to ensure that I look the part – a black Fame sparkly T-shirt, cap, some red sweat bands and some yellow luminous leg warmers – and leads me to the side of the stage where I can see the cast warming up.

I see Holly James, who I’d watched as the tragic Carmen, and Nicholas Larkin, who plays Schlomo, the classical musician trying to come out from under his famous father’s shadow.

And there’s Mable – the wannabe dancer who likes scoffing crisps – or chips as they say in Noo York.

The characters I saw on Monday night are now just inches away from me being put through their vocal practice.

“Road rage, road rage, road rage, road rage; toy box, toy box, toy box, toy box,” are the slightly puzzling phrases they choose to sing to stretch their voice boxes. I join in at the side of the stage.

The singing practice comes to an end and Nick summons me onto stage. This is it. My moment of glory.

“This is Pam,” he says. The cast in chorus say: “Hi, Pam.”

I begin to feel a little bit silly.

Nick explains to the cast why I am joining them. They look professional. They look the part.

The curtain goes up in less than an hour and it’s time for some hard work.

First of all though, Nick gathers the cast together for a group photo call where I stand in the middle. I am not sure really what I am supposed to do as they strike their poses. I smile, stretch my arm out and hope for the best.

It’s time for the dance masterclass. Spin, who plays the illiterate young street dancer Tyrone in the show, takes me through the routine to the hit song Fame – you know the one, you’ve danced to it at a dozen weddings.

We stand at the front of the stage with the cast behind us.

“Okay,” says Spin. “You need to move your legs out, back in and out again. Then move your head to left and with your right, hand click the fingers up by your right ear.”

I try the moves. They’re not perfect so I try again. It’s a bit like doing the hokey cokey.

I keep forgetting to keep looking left. It’s easy to forget what your arms are doing when you’re concentrating on your feet.

We try it again... and again... and again... and then I think I begin to get the hang of it so Spin adds a bit more.

“Put your left foot behind your right foot and turn.

“When you’re back facing the front jump up and stretch your arm, hand and fingers out and shout Fame!”

Spin makes it look so easy. Somehow, trying out the same moves, I end up looking like a farmer at a village disco.

The masterclass is over and it’s time for the school report.

“So then, will I make it?”

Spin is beaming. “Of course you will,” he says laughing.

The cast behind me are laughing too.

“The cast come from all walks of life,” says Nick. “They’re relatively young but some of them still come off stage huffing and puffing – you’d be surprised.”

There’s some hope then.

Remember my name.....Fame!

First published at 09:09, Saturday, 04 April 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk