Footloose

Footloose premiered on Broadway in 1988 and ran for over 700 performances, earning 4 Tony nominations. It lasted only 7 months in the West End but has toured the UK on several occasions. It received a mixed critical reception – consensus was that the show was, in itself poor, but the music and talented cast made it entertaining. Fortwilliam’s set was a simple bridge structure with generally suitable in-sets to create a kitchen, diner etc. Lighting was uncomplicated and Sound, although sometimes over amplified, was suitable for the music genre. As the show is set in the 50s, Costumes did not require a costumier and most were, I assume, provided by the cast themselves - always a bonus when setting a show budget! 

A large and enthusiastic cast of mainly young people  was led by James Marsden as Ren McCormack. He "bust his guts” playing the role and was a great leading man! His dancing was energetic and his singing strong and in mood. Ren’s new friend Willard was played by Rory Jeffers – a difficult role to play as the character seems a bit ‘simple’ at the start. Rory found good comedy in the loyal but hot-headed young man. Ren’s mother Ethel was played by Liz Wilson. She was a single mother, having been recently abandoned by her husband – the father of Ren, who was badly affected by this loss. Liz portrayed a loving and supportive mother, doing her best in a new and challenging environment. New school friends of Ren were Ariel, Rusty, Wendy-Jo and Urleen, who were played by Zoe Barr, Chloe Moreland, Jenny Johnston and Hannah Ferguson. The latter three were boy mad(!) and stuck together while also being supportive of Ren’s plans to overturn the ban on dancing. 

Zoe (Ariel) was the teenage daughter of the Rev. Shaw Moore and was determined to rebel against his strict views on dance. The well-known “Holding out for a Hero” was strongly sung by Zoe while the rather sad trio she performed with Vi and Ethel was nicely shared. The role of Vi (the preacher’s wife) was subtly taken by Cathy McCalmont. She portrayed an understanding mother, trying to support her rebellious daughter as well as her controlling husband and conveyed those efforts very well.  Rev. Shaw Moore (Jim Young) was a very strict church leader. Although his dialogue did explain the sad reason for his unbending nature, Jim was convincing in his dedication to the rules against the “evils of rock ‘n roll music”. It was nearing the end of the show before we saw his slow change of mind with “Heaven Help Me”.

Various other adults supported the radical rules brought in by the Reverand – School Principal Harry Clarke (Jim McGuigan) was strict and rather humourless as was coach Roger Dunbar (Stephen McQuillan), his wife Eleanor (Emma McCourt) and ‘Uncle’ Will Warnicker (Kieron Corrigan). Bad boys of the piece were Bill Harvey as Chuck Cranston; he was an abusive boyfriend of Ariel who was not happy when ‘dumped’ in favour of Ren; and Cono Polley as Cowboy Bob - a ‘wide boy’ who fought with a jealous Willard after giving his girlfriend Rusty too much attention! Other small parts were undertaken appropriately and with enthusiasm, and the Ensemble of around twenty – mostly young people – were engaged and energised.

Somehow, the production did not reach the heights which might have been expected but it was an enjoyable  show. With the title “Footloose”, dancing was unsurprisingly the main raison d’etre for the piece and Choreographer Michael McEvoy put much effort into devising and teaching many intricate moves in the dynamic dance numbers from hip hop to line dancing. Having directed school productions for many years, this was Pauline Hughes’ first amateur musical society production. Working with experienced colleagues Michael and Ciara will have been very valuable and I’m sure she will go from strength to strength as a Director. Ciara showed her expertise in leading her small band and instructing the singers in the rock/country music styles.

I am so pleased to welcome Fortwilliam Musical Society back to the National Operatic & Dramatic Association which is in place for the benefit of amateur groups all over the U.K. Thank you to everyone who was involved in the production, and we look forward to a long and happy relationship!

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