Everybody get 'Footloose' !
By Kate Morley - 05/09/2008
From the very beginning, Footloose the Musical simply explodes onto the stage with a burst of energy, banishing all thoughts of the wet, dark and dismal night outside the theatre - which was packed, with every age group possible in attendance; this is a real family show.
Based on the 80s film Footloose, starring Kevin Bacon, the show tells the tale of Chicago boy Ren McCormack ‘s arrival in small town Bomont. Forced to move, with his mother, after his father’s desertion, Ren’s misery is compounded by the discovery that the town council has banned dancing anywhere within the town limits.
Can Ren convince the council to change their minds? Can he win the heart of the vicar’s daughter Ariel? Well of course he can, and does, in a predictably triumphant storyline - but the story isn’t really what this musical is about. Funnily enough, neither is the music – the songs, some of them written for the show, and others 80s classics such as ‘Let’s Hear it for the Boy’ and ‘Holding Out For a Hero’, are perfectly good and well performed, but the real point of this show is the dance.
Karen Bruce’s choreography is just excellent, and the company perform with such passion, energy and indeed humour at times that their tight routines fizz with sheer infectious joy. This more than compensates for the sometimes ‘muddy’ sound quality during the ensemble numbers.
The leads do a very good job here also. Stephen Webb as Ren dances very well, and his singing voice is good; he also manages to introduce some real tear jerking feeling into his performance during his scene with the Minister – although Richard Grieve’s lacklustre performance as the latter gave Webb little to work from. Grieve also stilted the talents of Maureen Nolan as his wife. Emotional scenes between the two of them failed to take off, as her convincing emotion kept being brought up short by his lack of responsiveness. Ariel , played by Twinnie Lee Moore was a good solid performance- a lovely dancer, with an equally lovely voice.
Supporting the leads were the great comic, and indeed vocal talents of Simon Lipkin as Willard, and Jodie Jacobs as Rusty. Unlike some musicals, the company and supporting actors have plenty to do in Footloose – meaning that the audience has an opportunity to really bond with these minor characters; they do so much more than just dress the set here.
The whole cast really impressed with their energetic enthusiasm – and they were rewarded with one of the biggest and most enthusiastic standing ovations I have seen at the Hippodrome. I defy anyone to see this musical and not come away with a smile on their faces. Shows like this explain why the Bristol Hippodrome are enjoying record ticket sales!
Footloose The Musical is at the Bristol Hippodrome until Saturday 6th September, then touring the following venues:-
8 -13 Sept – Southend, Cliffs Pavillion
15 – 20 Sept- Ipswich, Regents Theatre
22 – 27 Sept- Southampton, Mayflower Theatre
29 Sept -4 Oct – Aberdeen, His Majesty’s
6 – 11 Oct – Cardiff, New Theatre
13 – 18 Oct – Liverpool Empire
21 – 25 Oct – Killarney, National Event Centre
28 Oct – 1 Nov – Castlebar – Royal Theatre
3 – 8 Nov – Derry, Millennium Forum
17 – 22 Nov - Manchester Opera House
24 – 29 Nov – Hull, New Theatre
1 – 6 Dec – Norwich, Theatre Royal
For more information or to book visit the website below. To see what’s on at the Bristol Hippodrome, visit the second link.