Dance

Fame, fortune and fandom are at the heart of the musical Dreamgirls, which makes its Midlands debut at Birmingham theatre The Alexandra next month. Set in the 1960s, the story centres on three talented young singers and their rollercoaster ride to stardom. What’s On recently caught up with two of the show’s leading ladies - Nicole Dennis, who plays Effie, and Natalie Kassanga (Deena) - to find out what it’s like to be a Dreamgirl...

The smash-hit Broadway and West End musical Dreamgirls comes to Birmingham theatre The Alexandra next month and shows at the venue across the festive period. Packed full of catchy songs, including Listen and One Night Only, the show tells the story of three young black women - Effie, Deena and Lorrell - whose dream is to achieve superstardom as singers. But they soon discover that behind the glitter, fame is a rollercoaster ride where love, loyalty and friendship can be put to the test. Set in the US in the 1960s and ’70s, Dreamgirls is inspired by a host of top Motown acts, including The Supremes, The Marvelettes and The Shirelles. It premiered on Broadway in 1981, was adapted for an Oscarwinning film starring Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson and Jamie Foxx in 2006, and opened in the West End six years ago. Nicole Dennis played Effie in London and returns to the role for the tour. “I love playing Effie, as she’s such a complex character,” says Nicole. “It’s been a long journey with her, because although I started playing her professionally when I was 22, I first played her in amateur dramatics when I was 18. “We first meet Effie as an 18-year-old who is very sassy, outspoken, and knows what she wants: to be a big star. A lot of people don’t relate to her when they first meet her, and that has been a tricky and difficult thing, allowing people to understand her. But it’s also been the fun of the part, getting to know her and unravel all those layers, and getting to the roots of why she thinks like that and emotes like that. “I wish I was as brave as she is. She’s very outspoken about the things she wants in her life, and I think playing her has allowed me to take on some of that and be a bit braver in my own life. But in the end she’s just a girl who wants to be loved as much as she wants to be a superstar.” Dreamgirls was a story Nicole knew well even before playing the part of Effie. “I’ve grown up with this show and listening to this music since I was 10 years old. I think that’s what a lot of people find attractive about the show; the soundtrack is some of the best music I’ve ever heard - not just in musical theatre but in all of music - but it also has a very strong story to match it. The characters are so well thought out, developed and relatable. It’s one of the greatest musicals of all time.” While playing Effie in the West End in 2019, Nicole was scouted to join television talent show The Voice, in which she was mentored by Jennifer Hudson, who played Effie in the Dreamgirls film. “Having a relationship like that with Jennifer has been a high point of my career. It was like it was written in the universe. It was a massive experience, as she comes from a very similar background to me, where she had to do everything on her own but with the support of her family and her friends. Being on The Voice was a real experience, and I learnt a lot about the industry and how it moves.” Natalie Kassanga takes the role of Deena, whose friendship with Effie comes under strain when fame arrives. “At first Effie is pretty much at the forefront of the group, but then Deena ends up becoming the lead,” explains Natalie. “She’s a very ambitious young lady - they all share the same dreams, and any of them will do anything to be at the top. The fact that Deena is given this opportunity to change the black music sound is something she really wants. Even if that means damaging friendships, then she will do it to experience that form of fame. She is ambitious and very determined but also full of love.” The musical shows the many challenges faced by black women trying to make their way in the music business in the 1960s and ’70s. And, says Natalie, their fight to gain success and recognition is an inspiration to all. “When the film came out, I remember being so inspired by seeing three black women representing and showing empowerment. They showed that it might be hard along the way, but you always come out stronger. This show is something to relate to even today. It’s about struggling to be who you are, and anyone can relate to that.” Natalie hopes that seeing the musical will encourage other people to follow their dreams. “It shows there are trials and tribulations, but as long as you’re able to find your strengths, then it shows you should keep going and never give up. I grew up listening to Motown music, artists like Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder - those were artists I was constantly in awe of; I wanted to be those people.” And now Natalie is living her dream, taking top roles in a host of musicals. Although Dreamgirls will be the first time she’s been on stage in Birmingham, it’s not her first visit to The Alexandra. “A couple of my friends were in Birmingham at university and I came to visit. I came to The Alexandra to see Motown. I’d played Diana Ross in Motown in the West End, and it was really fun to be in the audience, seeing their reaction to that show. Now I’m really looking forward to bringing Dreamgirls to the theatre. “I hope the audience will take away the nostalgia of the Motown era, that they will learn from such a beautiful story about what happens in the music industry and how hard it is, but also that they appreciate the music. I’m sure the audience will have a good night, enjoy the show and be inspired by it.”

Dreamgirls shows at The Alexandra, Birmingham, from Tuesday 6 to Sat 31 December

Dance previews from across the region

Dance

Fabric: Contemporary Dance 2.0 Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome, Thurs 24 & Fri 25 November

“I want audiences to be awakened; to experience my work from the gut,” says avant-garde Israeli choreographer Hofesh Shechter. “Trusting the gut is, to me, like trusting nature, or God, or a sense of purpose; a source, a spark. Trusting a higher and better force than our limited, oppressed, cultured minds.” Hofesh’s award-winning Shechter II company is the ensemble behind this critically acclaimed production, an adapted and extended version of the original 2019 show created for European trailblazers GoteborgsOperans Danskompani. Hofesh selects the members of his company - all aged between 18 and 25 - every couple of years. His present crop of talented youngsters have been garnering plenty of praise for this currently touring show. The work features an eclectic sound-score that comes complete with ‘euphoric feel and throbbing beats’.

Swan Lake

Stafford Gatehouse Theatre, Mon 7 November

The highly regarded Classical Ballet & Opera House here presents its production of a timeless favourite, set to Tchaikovsky’s mesmerising score. Swan Lake tells the story of Odette, a beautiful princess who, caught under the spell of the evil Von Rothbart, must spend the daytime hours as a swan, returning to human form only when night falls... A sumptuous visual feast, the production offers an evening of ballet which is ideal for the first-time trier as well as the more seasoned dance-goer.

Rhythm Of The Dance: Christmas Special

Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sat 26 November

Rhythm Of The Dance will be celebrating a quarter-century of touring next year. The production has so far visited four continents and been seen by more than seven million people in over 50 countries. If you’ve not yet checked out the show, this Potteries performance provides a perfect opportunity to catch up with one of the most popular Irish step dance offerings in the world (which, on this particular occasion, comes complete with a collection of Christmas songs).

Unknownrealms Double Bill

Warwick Arts Centre, Coventry, Wed 23 November

ACE Dance & Music bring their inimitable African style to this thought-provoking collaboration with two internationally acclaimed Black male choreographers - Serge Aimé Coulibaly and Vincent Mantsoe. Presenting a double bill featuring six brilliantly creative performers, the show is described by the company as a celebration of mortality and perseverance, and of hope overcoming adversity.