OTT’s Fame treat thrills patrons

On Sunday night, for the first time in two years, members of the Operation Triple Threat (OTT) team were able to return centrestage, in front of a live audience, with the staging of Fame Jr.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the live version of their last show The Theory of Relativity, was forced to be cancelled. However, it was subsequently offered as a streamed event to the delight of their fans.

This return to the stage, for one night only, was equally welcomed by performers and patrons alike. However, adaptations were made to ensure the production at the Frank Collymore Hall could go on. One of the precautions was the imposition of a bubble to ensure a healthy cast.

Their hectic rehearsal schedule, which was chronicled on their Instagram page, paid off. With a bevy of new faces in the camp they mounted a high calibre performance with which the organisation has become synonymous. Cast members doubled as stagehands to ensure that well thought out props seamlessly created the vivid scenes.

The storyline highlighted the respective journeys of the artistes’ progression through their tenure at the New York High school for Performing Arts, where the tenets of the craft were of the upmost importance.

This selection was indeed fitting because there was an obvious parallel between the storyline and OTT’s focus on creating well-rounded performers.

Not only were the props on point and the choreography eye-catching but the wardrobe was reminiscent of the garb that was the wear when the original production was staged in the 1980s. From the males clad in the micro shorts to the ladies in their colourful leg warmers, the audience was easily transported to a different time and place.

Patrons were treated to strong performances by the lead actors and actresses who addressed problems such as dyslexia to eating disorders.

Despite their varied stories, the one constant was their quest for fame. Though the production had serious undertones in its messaging, humour was effectively used to keep the packed audience dialled in. Music from the original show was incorporated and the audience enjoyed the well-known hit Fame.  At the close of the night the team’s hard work was rewarded with a standing ovation. (STT)