Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury – until 14 May 2022
Reviewed by Sue Portman
4****
Based on the 1980s screen sensation which took the world by storm, Footloose sizzles with spirit, fun and the best in UK musical talent. With cutting edge modern choreography, you’ll enjoy classic 80s hits including Holding Out for a Hero, Almost Paradise, Let’s Hear It For The Boy and of course the unforgettable title track Footloose.
City boy Ren thinks life is bad enough when he’s forced to move to a rural backwater in America. But his world comes to a standstill when he arrives at Bomont to find dancing and rock music are banned. Taking matters into his own hands, soon Ren has all hell breaking loose and the whole town on its feet.
The show began with the audience being told that the actors would be playing their own musical instruments on stage and as far as I could see, this was indeed the case.
When the lights went down, and the curtain went up the audience witnessed a splendid show. The first scene illustrated a factory setting (in Chicago) where the actors sang along in unison to the Footloose tune. This was an epic start to the show.
From that moment on, the musical delivered in all areas from acting, singing, choreography, lighting, music and scene changes. Ren, played by Joshua Hawkins played the character convincingly. This role was played by Kevin Bacon in the original film. Although I thought
that his voice was not as strong as some of the other characters, he nevertheless delivered his part in spades.
As the scene shifted to a Church, we see Darren Day who plays Rev. Shaw Moore, the town’s spokesperson, and what he says goes. Rock music and dance has been made illegal in the town of Bomont but the kids are allowed to sing Gospel music. Other music is illegal because the Reverend lost his son in a car crash on the way back from a dance and he bears a grudge.
The demure ‘Ariel’ played admirably by Lucy Munden, appears and she is railing against her father, the Reverend. Her boyfriend is a local bad boy, Chuck, played with great zeal by Tom Mussel.
The characters begin to reveal themselves in a scene at the local café as we meet Willard Hewitt (Jake Quickenden) who fancies Rusty (Oonagh Cox). The cast, comprising of several actors (some of whom had been changed at the beginning so I cannot be sure who was who) began to build the story and set the scene for the rest of the show. In essence the plot was that Ren and friends wanted to put on a dance in the town, but they must seek permission from the Town Council who have already been influenced by the Reverend and told how to vote. So it is a resounding ‘non.’
Ren and the Rev have a heart to heart and the outcome is that the dance goes ahead. What unites them? This is a reflective moment of loss and grief and guilt.
The dance does go ahead and it is a raging success as depicted in the final scene of the show. The cast and crew interacted with the Waterside audience at this point imploring them to stand up and dance/sing along which the packed house did with glee. This was a fitting end to a joyful evening.
During the show there were memorable moments, such as Willard having his clothes ripped off in good old Buck’s Fizz style, revealing a ripped body and tiny gold shorts (phew) and Oonagh Cox providing the enthralled audience with a rip-roaring rendition of ‘Let’s Hear it for the Boy’
Ariel’s performance was slick and smooth, and her song ‘Holding out for a Hero’ was in my view as good as anything Bonnie Tyler could deliver. I should say that Darren Day is still the custodian of a marvellous voice and in general the whole cast sang competently and professionally which of course is expected of a major musical performance. Well done
to all. I particularly enjoyed the lighting and stage sets and the very quick scene changes.
The audience (including myself) came away from the theatre feeling happy and nostalgic. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and congratulate the players and the venue on yet another first-class show. I must give this a 4/5 rating based on my experience.