Back to the 80's

  First you need to take into account that none of these young actors was born during the 80’s! So how could they possibly capture that special something that fed the musical imaginations of those who really lived through it? Well they did and more…

  Corey Palmer Jnr. (James Watson) in flashback gave a nicely considered performance as the ‘memory’ of the events, recalled in hindsight by his adult Snr. and mature narrator (Gary Watson) unfolded, and we relive his past school experiences. The opening narration was a trifle long but set the scene as School days were relived and the whole company entered at the beginning of a school day with typical and well defined bad behaviour. Hapless Teachers Mr Stevie Crocker (Stephen Brown) and Miss Sheena Brannigan (Daisy Tyrell-Kent) were more interested in their own personal relationship but added an intriguing and well portrayed sub plot throughout the piece. They deserved each other!

From the first song we were tapping our feet to the evocative sounds and lyrics as each principal in turn gave their all, relishing the opportunity to take centre stage for the cornucopia of  80’s songs (including ‘The Proclaimers 100 Miles’ !!  Footloose also seemed an appropriate number depicting and exuberant and even anarchic atmosphere of the period. ). The whole company, and there were over forty on stage for some numbers, created that magical atmosphere that only live music can.

The live orchestra, all ten of them, were actually positioned on stage behind a somewhat dividing wire fence, a brave decision but reducing dramatically the staging space. They were therefore not ‘in front’ of the singers, which perhaps was not the best of ideas as just occasionally there was a need to have a visible conductor and even a more ‘live’ emphasis on the musicality, which was after all a big part of this show! They were however excellent and included several young musicians who will no doubt also go on to greater things.

The story itself is predictable and typical of the American influences of the time. The Brash ‘cool’ self admiring Will Garood (Michael Feldman) was sufficiently consumed with his own standing and was encouraged by his sycophantic entourage Billy Arnold (Sam Howlett), Huey Jackson (Ross Stone),Lionel Astley (Zak Poll). Wills lead in Footloose showed his vocal prowess. While the admiring girls ‘giggly gang’ was well led by the most ‘fancied’ girl in school, Tiffany Houston (Georgi Bessey), egged on by her envious pals Cyndi Gibson (Megan Gallagher), Melanie and Kimberley Easton ( Fay Bishop and Gemma Tovell). This trio worked and sang well together, particularly in the ‘Hey Mickey’ number. Cyndi also showing well in the Madonna song ‘Material Girl’. Corey himself had two really good friends Alf Bueller (Thomas Finch) and Kirk Keaton (George Etteridge) who added  moments of humour as the story unfolded. Now every school has its ‘geeks’ and here, flying the flag for them all, we had the magnificent Feargal McFerrin 111 (Tom Holt), with a performance which surely confirmed his versatility as his comedy timing and demeanour throughout was a joy. His voice and indeed those of all soloists was of the highest standard and a credit to the MD and well concealed Pit Chorus under the wing of Chris Steed. The musical numbers (and I wish I had noted them all!), were all first class and really brought the memories flooding back (for most of the audience!). Perhaps a surprising inclusion was the Proclaimers 100 Miles, and Corey and Will really brought the house down with their rendition of this much loved iconic song!  Feargal had his loyal ‘nerdy’ supporters in Laura Wilde (Becky Lilley) and Debbie Fox (Lydia Webb) who together with  Eileen Reegan (Bethan Roscoe) were always good to watch and added some nice comedic and vocal moments; particularly well received  when Tom lead an impeccable rendition of  ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’!  Will Garood gets his come-upence in a glorious scenario where the ‘geeky’ Feargal confronts him and in a scene inspired by Mr Mynagi from ‘Karate Kid 1’, he swoops to conquer, and finds that he is suddenly the ‘cock of the walk’ with the girls! Corey cannot believe his luck as Tiffany reveals her true feelings…but of course the story and life of Corey moves on to that of a happy and now settled adult with all the concomitant responsibilities and we are left to contemplate his nostalgic memories of what was, and what might have been…but above all it was the music!

Oh if only life were that simple! But great nostalgia and a real feel good factor as the sell out audiences leave the theatre buzzing and humming their ‘old’ favourites and just a few for the first time…they don’t write ‘em like that anymore!! Great show!

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.