As the 1975 musical about Broadway hoofers sets off on tour, professionals reveal how much has – and hasn’t – changed since its debut
‘I want it strong! Make it sharp! Take it on the downbeat and 5, 6, 7, 8!” A mass of laser-focused, high-kicking dancers move as if their lives depended on it – an epic battle royale, defeating their rivals round by round. Or an audition for a Broadway show, in other words. This one’s from A Chorus Line. It’s a musical with enduring appeal – Nikolai Foster’s acclaimed 2021 production goes on UK tour this summer.
A Chorus Line’s stories of performers struggling with troubled childhoods, sexuality, ageism, injury, breakdowns, poverty and thwarted ambition all came from real-life testimonies of Broadway dancers that director Michael Bennett recorded in late-night confessionals. The picture is one of an unforgiving career, but how true to life does the 1975 musical feel for dancers today?
