Footloose

If anyone likes a show with true ‘feel good’ factor they need look no further than this musical. Footloose has everything you would want in a show, good music, good dancing, an acceptable plot and some great humour. Bomont is a small town ruled by the local minister and a pathetic council who are all convinced that young people should never have fun and certainly never dance. Ren is a new arrival in the town who sets out to loosen up the restrictions having been raised in Chicago. The fact that he is very soon attracted to the reverend's daughter, Ariel, only adds fuel to the fire. There are numerous altercations before the reverend comes to accept that dancing is not a great evil and the story ends on a much happier note. The whole show was very slick with great principals, strong vocals and dance routines, swift scene changes with excellent lighting and costumes and the entire cast performing with drive and energy creating an excellent production.

In terms of leading characters COS made a ideal choice in Alex Hopkins as Ren who was perfect in every way with the ability to sing, act and dance exceptionally well. He sang and performed ‘I Can’t Stand Still’ so dynamically I can honestly say that I have never seen anything quite like it. He was brilliant. In total contrast his rendition of ‘Almost Paradise’ which he sang with Saxona Woolgar as Ariel was very moving. She portrayed her part convincingly as the sad, downtrodden daughter with a fighting spirit coming to the surface when disagreeing with her domineering father. The part of her mother played by Jo Williams was an equally moving performance as the downtrodden wife. ‘Can you Find it in Your Heart’ really pulled on the heart strings. Well done Jo.

As the bombastic minister, Andrew Cornell played the part with total conviction, proving to be a huge asset to Crawley. The same must be said of Dan Lacey who performed so outstandingly.  He was such a joy to watch never missing an opportunity to make the most of his humorous lines.  All the other principals, supporting cast, dancers and ensemble, not to forget the hard working orchestra, gave of their all contributing to an excellent production.

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