Review: Dean, Don’t Dance! at Old Fitz Theatre

Review by Michelle Sutton

Dean, Don’t Dance! is a masterfully created show, utilising creativity, honesty, accessibility and different types of performance art and storytelling to present a night of unforgettable theatre. Created by Dean Nash, Dean, Don’t Dance! is a one-man autobiographical cabaret-style show detailing Dean’s experience in the musical theatre industry in Australia, and in Australian society more broadly as a performer and person that lives with a disability. Dean takes the audience through some of his growing-up experience as well as focussing on his experience of auditions, with the help of Charley Alannah as the voice of directors and casting agents. These scenes are funny and fresh, cleverly constructed to have the audience cackling in amusement whilst they process the impact of the acts of discrimination they are seeing and hearing.

The show features Auslan interpretation by Yasmin Dandachi and audio description by Charley Alannah. The addition of these elements ensure the show is accessible to audience members whilst simultaneously adding a layer of creativity and humour to the show.

Dean, Don’t Dance! features original comedic songs composed by Dean for the show. Dean performs these songs and accompanies himself on the piano. These songs are beautiful, catchy, witty and disarming. Dean’s vocals soar against the backdrop of the piano and he takes every opportunity to engage with the audience as he sings.

Staged at the cosy and intimate Old Fitz Theatre with 55 seats, the bare stage leaves Dean nowhere to hide. This is ideal as the show in its rawness and candour goes on to totally expose and obliterate the darker sides and ableist prejudice of the musical theatre industry. The theatre is set up perfectly to support such an intimate and vulnerable production, allowing audience members to leave to leave the show feeling like Dean was casually chatting directly to them.

With a runtime of 50 mins, Dean, Don’t Dance! doesn’t overstay its welcome, inviting the audience to want to see much more of Dean and what he can do. Dean manages to tell a story that is full, rich and thought-provoking in an extremely concise way. Lighting design by Cathy Cowan is simple, with sparse use of spotlight and colour to bring different scenes and environments to life. Choreography by Cassidy McDermott-Smith is beautiful and evocative of feelings of acceptance and liberation. The dance elements of the show are placed perfectly with restraint and considered timing to enhance the dramatic effect and to enhance the sense of satisfaction. Dean uses slides projected on the undecorated black brick wall of the Old Fitz Theatre to add an extra element of humour.

Dean demonstrated himself to be a master of storytelling, weaving many elements together seamlessly to share a piece of work that is truly honest, generous, compelling and a riotous fun time. Dean, Don’t Dance! is a charming, heartfelt, innovative production that is entertaining, surprising and totally original. Dean Nash has created something incredibly, fun, enthralling and desperately needed in the musical theatre world. People lucky enough to catch this show are very unlikely to ever forget it.

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