Footloose

FOOTLOOSE a musical performed by SONG, at The Atkinson Theatre, Lord Street, Southport on Thursday, 12th August, 2021.

Based on the 1984 film of the same name, Footloose was adapted for the stage in 1998 by Dean Pritchard and Walter Bobbie. Tom Snow created the music (with additional music from Eric Carmen, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Loggins and Jim Steimen); Dean Pritchard and Kenny Loggins the lyrics. The storyline follows the journey of Ren McCormack, a young man who, having moved from Chicago to a small Midwestern town called Bomont, discovers that the town he now calls home has made dancing and rock music illegal.  He struggles to fit in and faces many uphill challenges in an effort to change things. With the help of his new friend, Willard Hewitt and the defiant teen Ariel Moore, he attempts to loosen up this conservative town. ‘Standing in his Way’ is Ariel's influential father, the Reverend Shaw Moore!

Where to start?  I think it would be virtually impossible for anyone to completely understand the ‘HURDLES and HOOPS’ that SONG has had to jump over and through during the past two years in an attempt to bring this musical to the stage.  On the 23rd February 2020, just five weeks before the first proposed ‘opening night’, I had the honour and privilege to see this young cast rehearse the entire show at St John’s Church Hall in Ainsdale - it was ready for the stage then!  Eighteen months later, after two postponements, and many, many, many more ‘Hurdles and Hoops’ navigated - if I may use words from the show - ‘A TIME TO LAUGH, A TIME TO CRY, A TIME TO MOURN AND A TIME TO DANCE.' ‘THAT TIME ...THEIR TIME’ had finally arrived!

Taking everything the last two years have thrown at SONG, it feels inappropriate to start identifying individual’s without doing injustice to many others.  There is little or no doubt that this has been a ‘total team effort’ with everyone supporting each other and giving off their best. But, I do feel it would be remiss of me not to give just a few ‘call outs’ and if I may, identify my three favourite moments/memories from the show....

The Cast...  Ellis Coulter took over the lead male role ‘Ren McCormack’ when Max Nolan had to withdraw. This integral part demands a triple threat approach - actor, dancer and singer. Ellis is blessed with great stage presence; he brought energy, passion, movement and personality to this role, but, unfortunately, singing is not a strength... be proud young man, good job!   Poppy Coyle took on the lead female role as the ‘rebellious minister’s daughter’ ‘Ariel Moore’.  Poppy was a perfect fit for this role; stage presence aplenty, great vocals and looked totally assured throughout, be ever so proud Poppy great job!  Thomas Corcoran provided us with an amazing portrayal of ‘Reverend Shaw Moore’ the strict, powerful Church Leader.  Thomas’s performance was powerful!  Another with great stage presence and great vocals. Be ever so proud young man!   Zara Newton took on the role of the downtrodden minister’s wife ‘Vi Moore’. Zara is another with wonderful stage presence and is blessed with an outstanding voice. She made this part her own and looked totally comfortable throughout. Be ever so proud young lady - great performance!   Jess Thorpe/Tess Wright/Cara Whitney-Cook took on dual roles, but this reference is about their roles as ‘Rusty Wilson/Urleen Bradshaw/Wendy-Jo Fletcher’  all friends of Ariel. All three gave their individual characters life whilst still working really well as a trio!  Good stage presence, good comedic timing; they provided us with some great vocal moments, be really proud girls - great job!  But, for me, the ‘show stealing performance’ came from another late replacement... Lucas Goodman who took on the role of ‘Willard Hewitt’, the country bumpkin, with the ‘big heart’ and an even bigger ‘smile’!  Lucas’s personality was infectious!  As his confidence grew so did his performance. His mannerisms, facial expressions and his larger than life interpretation of his character was exceptional.  Another with wonderful stage presence and wonderful comedic timing. Congrats, young man - tremendous job!

Georgia Americas played ‘Ethel McCormack’; Harry Corcoran  - ‘Chuck Cranston; Josh Harrison-North - ‘Wes Warnicker/Coach/Cowboy Bob’;  Bethany Rose - ‘Lulu Warnicker’;   Evan Thorpe - ‘Bickle Dillinger/Evan Platt’; Orlando Campolucci-Bordi - ‘Jeter Lloyd’;   Nathan Power as ‘Garvin Willis’;   Eleanor Clarke as ‘Lyle Johnson’; Georgia Hankin  - ‘Travis Carrol/Betty Blast’;  Abigail Bond, as ‘Principle Eleanor Clarke’;  Emilie Alty -  ‘Officer Mason/Penny Jones;  Isabelle Culshaw -  ‘Addison Sheeran’;  Elesha Nolan - Rhiannon Dingle;   Fleur Wigmore - Ariana Ray;  Evie Twist  - ‘Gracie Tenner’ and finally  Gabriella Agrimi - ‘Audrey Killgore’

 My three favourite moments/memories... (I’m sure everyone will have had their own favourites)

1. My first, an outstanding piece of theatre involving three characters. Ren, Reverend Moore and Ariel. The scene was powerful, thought provoking, delivered to perfection.  Ren visits Reverend Moore after the Council Meeting and they argue!  Ren suggests they are both dealing with loss:  Moore the loss of his son; himself the loss of his father. He tells Moore not to take his loss out on the town. Moore is shocked by Ren’s insight, he struggles with the fact they have a common bond which he cannot come to terms with. Ren leaves and Ariel joins her father, they talk! The scene culminates with a reprise of ‘Heaven Help Me’ sung by Moore...fabulous!

2. ‘Somebody’s Eyes’ sung in act one by ‘Rusty Wilson/Urleen Bradshaw/Wendy-Jo Fletcher’ aka Jess Thorpe/Tess Wright/Cara Whitney-Cook... three great voices that blend together really well and tell a great story. Highlight song from Act One for me, be proud girls. Great vocals, great rendition!

3.  ‘Showstopper’ for me was Zara Newton’s rendition of ‘Can You Find it in Your Heart’.  Don’t think I will be alone in this selection, the applause from the audience basically said it all!  Moving, intimate, soul searching great song, great lyrics and sang to perfection. Congrats Zara, this really did pull on the heart strings!

It is hard to comment on the technical side of this production when you are aware of the restrictions and limitations that have had to be considered on a daily.  The only thing to say for sure is a huge congratulation to everyone. To Andrea Claire (Stage Manager), Matt Hughes (Sound), Karen Fairclough (Wardrobe) (PS: thought the costumes were excellent and added so much), to Gill Corcoran (Safeguarding Officer), Hilary Thompson (Front of House), Linda Davies, Bev Newton (Chaperones) Guy Wigmore, Lesley Power, Kelly Bond (Backstage Supervision) on a job well done. I also was made aware of Si Grainger, the Technical Manager at The Atkinson a Sefton Council employee, who, not only provided the Lighting Design, but who’s total commitment to the cause ensured that this production actually got on stage. Si, from everyone... ‘THANK YOU’.

The Band, led by David J Wall, Ben Knowles on Bass, Corey Gerrard on Keys (MD assist during rehearsal), Katie Proctor on Drums and Mike Ciaputa on Guitar all of whom were positioned on a balcony outside the main auditorium/overlooking the stage area. Well done, guys - not ideal positioning I’m sure, but great sound!

The Director John Coates and Jenny Birch, the Choreographer needs praise indeed! I have no idea how you both actually dealt with everything that was thrown your way, but deal with it you did!  I remember seeing the ‘chorus dance routines’ eighteen months ago with fifteen/twenty young people dancing their hearts out and having the time of their lives, so when you are told that you can only have eight on stage at any given time - unimaginable!  You really did work your magic and I’m sure you’ve provided this group of talented young people with so many wonderful memories!  Be proud of what you both achieved, which I know you are. A credit to your strength, determination and perseverance - it all paid off. Great show, guys!

So finally, after waiting for such a long time to see this show, can I just say thank you so much for inviting my wife and I to your opening night and for allowing us to share the joy and enthusiasm that resounded around the theatre that night.  It was a privilege to be there and share in a small way the success of your show.  Cannot wait to see you all again soon and I am already looking forward to Elf.

Jim Briscoe
District 6 Rep
NODA North West

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