Home > Reviews > Bournemouth Operatic Society 2009
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Fame Forever, BOS Musical Company, Regent Centre, Christchurch
by Linda Kirkman

THIS is not the original Fame that was such a hit in the 80s, but a sequel set 20 years later, when the ghost of Carmen Diaz, who died of a drug overdose before she could graduate, finds herself back at the High School For Performing Arts watching both past and present students.

The music is fairly unmemorable and the story somewhat bitty, jumping alarmingly by another ten years towards the end, and I found it difficult to buy into the premise that Carmen and two other deceased former students could be re-born – as adults - when the time was right, seemingly fitting in with no questions asked. However, Gilbert & Sullivan made a success of operettas with improbable plots, so who am I to argue? Nonetheless, a strong and highly energetic cast brought everything to life so, as long as one didn’t delve too deeply into the story, it proved a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

There were some cracking performances, most notably from Matt Stevens (Tyrone Jackson), who seems to have it all – he can sing, act, dance, has great stage presence and good looks too. Also outstanding were Catherine Barrett (Carmen Diaz), Alex Thomas (Michael Peters), Nasreen Panjalizadeh (Serena Katz), Natasha Green (Vanessa Vegas) and Kirsty Simpson (Georgia Washington).

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