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Park Theatre 14 July – 20 August.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

In 1988, following protests by US war veterans during filming in Connecticut, Jane Fonda met with a group of veterans. Angry with her actions during the Vietnam war, and branding her a traitor after her 1972 visit to Hanoi, the men voiced the opinion of many veterans and their families disgusted with Hanoi Jane’s perceived betrayal of her country.

What happened during this meeting has never been revealed, but writer Terry Jastrow has researched Fonda’s story, visiting Hanoi and speaking to her guides to piece together eyewitness accounts of her visit. Jastrow’s efforts to show the diversity of the veterans echoes the stereotypes found in 12 Angry Men – a lawyer, a bonds trader, an Italian bar owner, an out of work alcoholic, a wheelchair bound former sports star and a minister. Their interactions are easy and funny, especially Tommy Lee (Mark Rose) and his fantastic anti-Fonda placard.

Anne Archer’s entrance as Fonda is very funny, but the initial swagger and smugness of the character almost made me want to slap her. This ultimately pays off as the play goes on and Fonda admits her mistakes, with Archer’s voice breaking and faltering beautifully. Archer has to deliver a lot of facts and statistics about Vietnam, using a slightly less hectoring tone than Fonda’s, and makes every gesture count in this largely static piece.

Despite all of this, Joe Harmston’s production can sometimes feel like a history lecture, especially as so much information is now available about Vietnam. Sean Cavanagh’s wonderful set aids the storytelling and impact of the horrific realities of war. A discoloured US flag and black floor, split by a white map of Vietnam, is covered with a list of conflicts from 1899 to 1988. The floor eerily recalls the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC, and to see the cast striding over it is a little unsettling. Clips of events during and after the war – My Lai, the Kent State shootings and the Winter Soldier investigations – are projected onto the map as the cast discuss them. The clips of Fonda’s Hanoi trip are used brilliantly as she explains them, with Archer taking over from Fonda to voice the radio broadcast, before accepting that she was naïve and used by the Viet Cong.

The running length of 95 minutes means that the veterans’ understanding and forgiveness, or not, of Fonda seems a little rushed. The stories told by Reggie (Ako Mitchell – a passionate performance) about his injuries, and Rev. Clarke (Martin Fisher – providing the calm centre of the piece with great authority) about the truly shocking attitudes of the top brass feel authentic and contribute greatly to the narrative. However, when Larry (Alex Gaumond), Buzzy (Christien Anholt) and Joe (Paul Herzbourg) chip in, it begins to feel like an AA meeting, with their stories added simply to provide further examples of atrocities and unneeded background for their characters.

As each side begins to listen to the other’s point of view, lots of political points about blindly following the President to war and the profit to be made from conflict are made, drawing bitter chuckles of recognition from the audience. The anger within the men about what they have done, what was done to them, and how they were treated after the war never leaves them, but the barriers finally break down when Reggie and Fonda share a tender moment, showing the gentler side of both characters beautifully.

With a perceptive anti-war message and warnings about press and public perception of the truth, The Trial of Jane Fonda is an interesting production, with a talented and committed cast, but it has the feel of a well-intentioned docudrama on BBC4 rather than a theatrical play.

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORYANNOUNCES WINNERS OF THE IMAGINATION AWARDS

The award-winning West End production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory today announced the winners of The Imagination Awards, a national competition to encourage and inspire young people to embrace their creativity and the power of the imagination.

Hundreds of budding inventors, aged 5-15, from across the UK, submitted their inventions for a solution to a problem in the world around them, while aspiring theatre designers, aged 13-21, created original set or costume designs for a chance to win a VIP visit and behind-the-scenes experience to the hit West End show.

The winners are seven year old Tom William Bauss from North London who invented the Super Float Boat, an unsinkable vessel to help with the current refugee crisis and to stop people getting wet at sea.

10 year old McKenzie Cameron from Loughton, Essex won the judges’ vote with the Memory Maker – an edible sweet wrapper to trigger precious memories for a forgetful grandparent.

And 13 year old Stephanie Wong from Barking impressed with The Next Level, a device which creates new platforms in any space at the touch of a button.

The Young Theatre Designers Award also received many fascinating, inspiring and creative entries across two age categories, 13-18 and 19-21, for set and costume design.

The winners for costume are announced as Kathryn Weaving, 18, of Scotby whose David Bowie and Jimi Hendrix-inspired designs caught the eyes of the judges, and Aidan Biddiscombe, 20, of Swansea, for his Victorian and sixties-fused creations.

The winners of the set design category are Dora Furnival, 17, from Stroud in Gloucestershire for her quirky and shabby chic Bucket Shack model, and 20 year oldSophie Cowdrey from Havant, Hampshire who also created a home for the Buckets, inspired by period cottages and popular culture.

Producer Caro Newling said: “Imagination is at the heart of all of Roald Dahl’s work and none more so than Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Through the Imagination Awards we’ve seen inventions and designs that rival Willy Wonka and Charlie Bucket’s boundless creations. It’s been a privilege to choose our winners and to be able to engage with a national appetite for the opportunity to connect with creative industries.”

The awards have been supported by renowned educationalist Sir Ken Robinson, who is Patron of the awards, and a stellar judging panel including director Sam Mendes.

Entries came in many different forms including pictures, stories, and even short films for Charlie’s Challenge which invited creations from three age categories, ages 5-7, 8-11 and 12-15. The three winners each receive an Imagination Pack full of prizes to encourage invention and creativity, plus a VIP trip to London to watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

As the school that submitted the most entries with nearly 200 submissions, Risdene Academy in Northamptonshire has won a visit and talk from judge and the Science Museum’s Inventor In Residence, Mark Champkins, plus a story-telling workshop.

The Young Theatre Designers Award winners each win a VIP trip to London to meet with the creative team, see Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and experience it from backstage, getting an exclusive look at how the world of Roald Dahl’s much loved story is brought to life on the West End stage.

The full winners and shortlist entries are available to view atwww.imaginationawards.co.uk

The Imagination Awards were divided into two separate awards:

Charlie’s Challenge: a national award for 5-15 year olds (in three age categories, 5-7, 8-11, 12-15), looking for creative inventions and ideas which would benefit a family member.
Judges: Roma Agrawal, James Anderson, Mark Champkins, Emily Mulhall

The Young Theatre Design Award was open to 13-21 year olds across the UK (in two age categories, 13-18 and 19-21) and split into two separate categories: Set Design and Costume Design.
Judges: Sam Mendes, Jess Moore, Caro Newling, Mark Thompson

Charlie’s Challenge was designed to be inclusive for all young people. The award encouraged creativity in the classroom, and championed invention and imagination as valuable skills for any future career. The production created resources to help unlock the doors to the world of theatre, and to showcase opportunities in the arts that exist for young people interested in the process of theatre making and design.

The Young Theatre Design Award looked for those who have already experimented with set and costume design, and also sought out aspiring artists and those with relevant skills who have not yet considered a career in the theatre industry.

The judging panel for the awards includes:

• Members of the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory creative team including: Sam Mendes, Director; Caro Newling, Producer; Mark Thompson, Set and Costume Designer
• Jess Moore, Executive Director of Corporate Responsibility, Warner Bros.
• Roma Agrawal, Structural Engineer, WSP Group
• James Anderson, 18 year old entrepreneur and founder of Thinkspace
• Mark Champkins, Inventor in Residence, Science Museum
• Emily Mulhall, Animator

Since opening in 2013, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has offered teachers numerous ways to explore the show through an educational ‘Page-to-Stage’ resource that includes activities and exercises for students to bring the musical to life in the classroom. January 2016 has seen the launch of the new official Charlie and the Chocolate Factory school workshops in the areas of drama, singing, dance, musical theatre and storytelling.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has also provided 15 one-week paid backstage work experience placements and three eight-week paid internships through the Golden Tickets scheme, part of Warner Bros. Creative Talent, a programme of investment in skills and training for the UK creative industries.

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory has quickly become one of the West End’s most popular and successful stage musicals, and has regularly broken records at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, where it has been seen by over 2 million people since it opened in June 2013. It currently sits in the top three longest-running productions of the last 50 years at the historic venue, one of London’s largest theatres. The show recently celebrated its 1250th performance and received a London Lifestyle Award for Theatre Show of the Year, as voted for by readers of the London Evening Standard. It also won two Olivier awards in April 2014.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory presented its first ‘relaxed performance’ on 19 January 2016. Presented in association with Mousetrap Theatre Projects, the relaxed performance was aimed at families with one or more children with special needs. It was designed to provide an opportunity for people with autism, learning difficulties or other sensory and communication needs, who require a more relaxed environment, to enjoy the show.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is directed by Sam Mendes. Featuring ingenious stagecraft, the wonder of the original story that has captivated the world for almost 50 years is brought to life with music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman, a book by award-winning playwright and adaptor David Greig, set and costume designs by Mark Thompson and choreography by Peter Darling.

The Official Cast Recording album is available on Sony Records, on CD and download.

This world premiere musical is produced by Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Neal Street Productions and Langley Park Productions.

www.CharlieandtheChocolateFactory.com
Box Office: 0844 858 8877
Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, London, WC2B 5JF
Booking until January 2017

BROADWAY’S MULTI AWARD WINNING MUSICAL COMEDY

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE

GRAND OPERA HOUSE YORK

Monday 27  – Saturday 4 March 2017

On sale 20 July 2017

Based on the 1967 Academy Award-winning film, Thoroughly Modern Millie takes you back to the height of the Jazz Age in New York City, when “moderns” including a flapper named Millie Dillmount were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce, and rewriting the rules of love.

From explosive tap routines to a ‘Fred and Ginger’ routine on a window ledgeThoroughly Modern Millie is a perfectly constructed evening of madcap merriment for all the family.

The winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie was the 2002 season’s most awarded new show on Broadway!

STAR CASTING TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON!

“A thoroughly feel-good, joyous romp…perfect family entertainment.” – The Examiner

“a darn near perfect family show.” – Talkin’ Broadway

Performance: Evenings 7:30pm Saturday matinee: 2:30pm

Tickets: From £17.50

Box Office: 0844 871 3024

Online Booking: www.atgtickets.com/York

Union Productions presents

The 25th Anniversary of

CHILDREN OF EDEN

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

Book by John Caird

At the Union Theatre

From Wednesday 10th August to Saturday 10th September 2016

25 years after its original West End production, Children of Eden will return to London in a new production at the Union Theatre, opening on Friday 12 August with previews from Wednesday 10 August 2016.

Children of Eden will be the second production in the Union Theatre’s brand new state-of-the-art space in Southwark, where Ruthie Henshall and Stephen Mear were recently announced as patrons. The new venue’s first production The Fix is currently in previews.

Inspired by the Book of Genesis, Children of Eden tells the timeless story of what it means to be a parent. From the moment you bring a child into the world everything changes; you learn to protect, cherish, and love unconditionally. But as they grow you have to learn one more thing; to one day let them go. Featuring one of the most beautiful scores in contemporary musical theatre from the composer of Godspell, Pippin and Wicked, Children of Eden is a heartfelt and humorous musical about the unique family bond.

Children of Eden has Music and Lyrics by acclaimed composer Stephen Schwartz, who is perhaps best known for his mega-hit musical Wicked which continues to play on Broadway and in the West End. A big screen adaptation of Wicked is also in development. Stephen has contributed lyrics to films includingPocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre and Enchanted, and his other stage musicals include Godspell andPippin. Schwartz was recently given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and inducted into the Theatre Hall of Fame.

Children of Eden has a Book by John Caird, who with Trevor Nunn adapted and directed Les Misérables. His recent directorial credits include McQueen at the Haymarket Theatre, Tosca in Chicago and Houston, La Boheme in San Francisco and his own musical Daddy Long Legs off-Broadway. His work for the RSC included over 20 productions of classic and new plays including a co-production with Trevor Nunn of Nicholas Nickleby for which he received a Tony and Olivier Award.

Children of Eden is directed by Christian Durham, whose productions include Spend Spend Spend(Union Theatre), Just So (Bridewell Theatre), Debbie Does Dallas (Edinburgh Festival, E4 Udderbelly) and Taboo (UK Tour, Best Musical – MEN Awards). It is choreographed by Lucie Pankhurst whose recent work includes The Stripper (St James Theatre), The Toxic Avenger (Southwark Playhouse), The Busker’s Opera (Park Theatre), Shock Treatment (Kings Head Theatre) and Dogfight (Southwark Playhouse). Design is by Kingsley Hall (Once Upon A Mattress, Patience, The Baker’s Wife – Union Theatre), Lighting Design by Nic Farman (The Stripper – St James Theatre, The Toxic Avenger -Southwark Playhouse) and Musical Direction by Inga Davis-Rutter (Spend, Spend, Spend and Love Story – Union Theatre).

Casting is to be announced.

Children of Eden has Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and Book by John Caird, based on a concept by Charles Lisanby. It is produced by Union Productions and performed by arrangement with Music Theatre International (Europe) Limited.

www: www.uniontheatre.biz

Twitter: @TheUnionTheatre

Facebook: /TheUnionTheatre

Pam Ann – Touch Trolley Run to Galley 20th Anniversary

Tour Tyne Theatre & Opera House Saturday 17th June 2017

In 2017 the A-List queen of the skies, Pam Ann, plans to land the Louboutin’s on international turf and hit the tarmac running with her celebratory 20th anniversary UK tour, and Tyne Theatre & Opera House are thrilled to welcome her to our stage on Saturday 17th June.

Iconic international celebrity airhostess Pam Ann, has evolved since first jetting out of her hometown of Melbourne 20 years ago. Pam – the alter-ego of Australian comedian-writer-producer Caroline Reid – has developed cult-status with her masterful portrayal of a brash hot mess of an Australian hostess. She herself says as the airports got bigger, so did her ego… and her mouth filthier.

Pam’s barbed wit has seen her fly many a risky route and negotiate even the most politically incorrect flight path, with her blisteringly funny take on the world of airlines and aircrew. Nothing is out of reach of her pristine white gloves, strutting up the aisle with a trolley full of beautifully unpredictable, sharp airline satire. There’s not much Pam hasn’t seen or done – from crewing Elton John’s private jet at his express request, sharing a stadium stage on a tour of the UK with Cher, and counting Madonna in her legion of devoted fans worldwide.

In 20 years, Pam’s creator Caroline Reid, has racked up more flight miles than a tax-funded politician. A born entertainer, Reid’s knack for selling out shows includes New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom, San Francisco’s Castro Theatre and extends to Australia, Poland, Germany, UK, Norway, Scandinavia, France, Ireland, Canada, Switzerland, Finland and Dubai.

She has headlined at the New York’s legendary Caroline’s on Broadway and in 2010 performed at the prestigious London Palladium, the Royal Albert Hall and sold out 2 shows at the 3700 seat Hammersmith Apollo – her largest solo audience to date. In Australia, Pam Ann starred on her own television talk show, The Pam Ann Show on Foxtel. She also hosted the National Live broadcast of Mardi Gras 2009 to an audience of 2 million viewers. Among Pam Ann’s greatest hits are an advertising campaign and training videos for British Airways, the inclusion of her hit live DVD includes ‘Come Fly With Me’ on Qantas’ in-flight programming, and being the face of Skyteam Sky Tips for London Heathrow Terminal 4 (www.skyteam.com). Pam Ann also performed on their first ever JetBlue – JetPride flight, a first on a US carrier.

Climb aboard and celebrate 20 years of Pam Ann – you can be guaranteed no one does it better.

Tyne Theatre & Opera House Director Joanne Johnson says: “I’m thrilled to announce the iconic Pam Ann as the latest addition to our ever-growing comedy programme here at Tyne Theatre & Opera House. Pam Ann is such a cult comedy figure and it’s an honour that we are able to have her perform on our stage. She’s in good company: our fantastic comedy line-up for 2016/2017 features the likes of Rich Hall, Omid Djalili and Jerry Sadowitz, with more to be announced!”

*Please note this show is strictly 16+

Tickets available now from www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

Full casting announced for Northern Broadsides/York Theatre Royal production of When We Are Married

Northern Broadsides and York Theatre Royal are delighted to announce full casting for their forthcoming touring production of J.B. Priestley’s When We Are Married.

The production’s exciting cast will feature Sue Devaney (Jane in Victoria Wood’sDinnerladies, BBC and Debbie Webster in Coronation Street, ITV), Steve Huison(Lomper in the hit British film The Full Monty and Last Train to Scarborough, Stephen Joseph Theatre)), Adrian Hood (Dinnerladies and the film Brassed Off), Kate Anthony (Pam Hobsworth in Coronation Street and Rutherford and Son , Northern Broadsides), Barrie Rutter (King Lear and Rutherford and Son, Northern Broadsides), Luke Adamson (Blood and Chocolate, Slung Low and Pilot Theatre),Matthew Booth (Last Train to Scarborough, Stephen Joseph Theatre), Geraldine Fitzgerald (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, UK Tour and Gypsy, The Curve),John Gully(The Merry Wives, Northern Broadsides) Sophia Hatfield (An August Bank Holiday Lark, Northern Broadsides), Lisa Howard (The Duchess of Malfi, Nottingham Playhouse), Zoe Lambert (Emmerdale and The Wizard of Oz, Northern Stage), Kat Louise-Martin (The Gamblers, Northern Stage/Dundee Rep), Mark Stratton (The Merry Wives, Northern Broadsides) and Andy Hall.

With direction from Northern Broadsides artistic director Barrie Rutter, the production will be designed by Jessica Worrall (She Stoops to Conquer, Northern Broadsides) and lighting by Tim Skelly (We are Three Sisters, Northern Broadsides).

When We Are Married will open at York Theatre Royal from the 9-24 September and then tour to Hull Truck Theatre; Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds; Rose Theatre, Kingston; West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds; Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough; Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham; New Vic Theatre, Newcastle under Lyme; Liverpool Playhouse and finishing up at the Viaduct Theatre in Halifax from 29 November-10 December.

Tickets for When We Are Married are available at the York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568 or visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

Noel Coward Theatre 8 July – 27 August.  Reviewed by Claire Roderick

Wow. Just Wow.

Impossible returns to the West End with a bang, actually, some VERY LOUD bangs. Underneath the lavish production values lies a very traditional and hugely entertaining magic show. Themed around the history of magic performers, this gives the magicians the chance to showcase classic tricks. This may not appeal to innovation seekers, but most performances are incredible and jaw-dropping. Some critics were unhappy with the machismo on display last year, so the new cast includes Sabine Van Diemen sawing a man in half (whilst seemingly auditioning for a new Carry On film) and Josephine Lee performing Houdini’s Water Torture Cell escape.

Jonathan Goodwin reprises his daredevil act, working the audience brilliantly as he does ridiculous things to himself (“More”, he says as fuel is poured over his crotch!) and his wife – although the looks she sometimes gives him hint at who wears the non-flaming trousers in that relationship.

Magical Bones brings his street magic style to the stage, wowing with his dancing and magic skills. His trick involving the audience is fantastic. I am sure it’s easily explained through probability, but the moment the whole audience realised what had happened was mind-boggling.

Chris Cox is a force of nature, changing the whole tone of the show whenever he is on stage. Brilliantly geeky and self-deprecating, his mentalist act is both hysterical and extremely unsettling. How does he do that?

Ben Hart’s act is the highlight of the show for me. A born story teller, revelling in the historical theme, he is equally impressive performing the spectacular Tesla coil trick or close up magic. Amongst all the hoopla, the most spellbinding moment of the night is his billiard balls trick performed as a silent movie – simply gorgeous.

The big draw of this year’s show is, of course, Britain’s Got Talent Winner Lance Corporal Richard Jones. Given the evenings off by his CO, he continues to entertain with his relaxed, audience friendly style. There are no bells and whistles in his act here, just good, old-fashioned befuddlement on the faces of the people he calls onto the stage. Slightly too much chat explaining his jokes, but I’m sure he’ll become more relaxed as the run continues.

Unfortunately, the show ends with a whimper, with Van Diemen performing a ridiculously dated laser/levitation dance. This may work well in Vegas where everyone is getting sozzled as they watch, but I saw H from Steps do this trick in panto last Christmas with a much smoother take-off.

This quibble aside, Impossible is fantastic family entertainment, full of wonder and laughter, and a great night out.

• UNDERBELLY BRING A RE-IMAGINED CHRISTMAS EVENT TO LONDON’S ICONIC LEICESTER SQUARE

• CHRISTMAS IN LEICESTER SQUARE WILL FEATURE A TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS MARKET, SANTA’S GROTTO FOR FAMILIES AND A BEAUTIFUL BELGIAN SPIEGELTENT

• FROM 11 NOVEMBER – 8 JANUARY WORLD-RENOWNED THEATRICAL PHENOMENONLA SOIRÉE WILL PERFORM IN THE SPIEGELTENT AS PART OF CHRISTMAS IN LEICESTER SQUARE

• LA SOIRÉE’S  TANTALISING LINE-UP WILL FEATURE MUCH-LOVED FAVOURITES, INCLUDING THE ENGLISH GENTS AND URSULA MARTINEZ, ALONGSIDE ASTONISHING NEW ACTS

Underbelly won Best Festival at the 2014 UK Festival Awards for its re-imagining ofEdinburgh’s Christmas and helped develop Winter at Southbank Centre into one of London’s most popular winter destinations. In London, Underbelly is also known for itsUdderbelly and London Wonderground festivals on the Southbank and as the Event Producer for Pride in London and Production Partner for West End Live. Now it brings a newly conceived event, Christmas in Leicester Square, to the heart of London’s vibrant West End, with La Soirée in the Spiegeltent, the Christmas Market and Santa’s Grotto. It’s the perfect destination to indulge in the season of good cheer, whether you want to party with La Soirée, take a visit to Santa’s Grotto or stroll through the traditional Christmas Market, with its fair of crafters, artists and gastronomic surprises.

Underbelly are delighted to welcome La Soirée as a major part of Christmas in Leicester Square. This season of La Soirée will offer audiences a bounty of familiar pleasures and sensational surprises, including much-loved favourites Ursula Martinez, The English Gents,Hamish McCann’s pole act, and last year’s show-stopper Denis Lock’s bubble act, plus a host of fresh and thrilling new talent. So shimmy on over to the vintage Spiegeltent in its new home at Christmas in Leicester Square, a velvet-draped salon of carved wood, polished mirrors, crystal and leadlight and prepare to be charmed, astonished and electrified by the loveable crème de la crème of the cabaret world.  Further acts will be revealed in due course. La Soiréeis presented by Brett Haylock, Mark Rubinstein and Mick Perrin.

Underbelly and Westminster City Council are also delighted to announce Winter Windowsas part of Christmas in Leicester Square. This community engagement project will give 20 schoolchildren in Westminster the opportunity to exhibit their stained glass window designs on the north side of Leicester Square. Twenty schools (primary and secondary) will run internal competitions to select a pupil to design a winter stained glass window. The designs are then enlarged, rear lit and displayed as a free exhibition in Leicester Square.

Underbelly Directors Ed Bartlam and Charlie Wood said: “We’re delighted to be bringing a European Christmas to the centre of London and presenting Leicester Square with something for everyone from the world famous La Soirée and their perfect Christmas night out, to the Christmas Market from Germany for shoppers to the Santa’s Grotto for children.”

Something Sacred Productions presents:

Tyne Theatre &Opera House, Newcastle – Tues 12th to Sat 16th July 2016

We’re kicking off our Sunday shoes, to cut loose to Footloose in Newcastle this week

Based on the 1984 film starring Kevin Bacon, Dean Pitchford has adapted his own screenplay into a stage show.  Moving in from Chicago, newcomer Ren McCormack is in shock when he discovers the small Midwestern town of Bomont, he now calls home has made dancing and rock music illegal. As he struggles to fit in, Ren faces an uphill battle to change things.

This is a deliciously corny story, with comedy pal Willard for Ren to coach in dance and love, and the production is delightfully cheesy, but it just didn’t feel like a coherent show. There are some great one liners, but it is the musical numbers that let it down. Apart from Footloose (full of energy and fun), Holding Out For A Hero (belted out with glee and VERY tongue in cheek), Let’s Hear It For The Boy (hysterical) and a couple of other familiar songs, the remainder are forgettable,  the elements just don’t gel. Maybe the way forward would have been to use the film soundtrack and be a jukebox musical instead

Gareth Gates was indisposed on Doctors orders so we were treated to Luke Thornton’s Willard – and what a treat it was.  Whilst Gates may have a star name, Thornton most definitley possesses star quality.  It won’t be long before he his playing leading roles in his own right and not just understudying them.

Proof it can be done comes from Luke Baker as Ren.  When I first saw Baker he was the back of the ensemble and now he quite rightly leads the company.  Both Luke’s are quite magnificent in these roles and they help to carry this show which seems to have potential but is quite sadly lacking.

Special mention too to Maureen Nolan who has amazing presence and shows why she is so fantastic with her solo performance of Can You Find it in Your Heart – a mini masterclass in how it should be done in one outstanding song

The cast are young and enthusiastic, they are also multi-talented playing their own instruments on stage.  Hannah Price leads the girls as Preachers daughter Ariel, ably backed by her girls – Joanna Sawyer (Rusty), Natasha Brown (Wendy-Jo) and Miracle Chance (Urleen). They follow Director Racky Plews and choreographer Matthew Cole’s instructions well but there does seem to be something missing.

In fairness to the cast, the show was quite late starting due to technical difficulties and I don’t know if these difficulties continued in the first half as the second half was much better than the first.  Also Sara Perks huge but versatile set seemed squashed on the small stage of the Tyne Theatre.  The Tyne is exquisitely beautiful but small and I know Footloose as played much bigger venues on the tour.

Maybe on another night in another place this show can truly demonstrate what a powerhouse of a show it is meant to be and I look forward to seeing Footloose elsewhere because I know that in there somewhere is a production that is going to blow me a way