Footloose

This was a new show for me and the audience and it was given an energetic airing and received a heart-warming reception. The storyline is of a mother and son fleeing their past to live in a country community which they discover has been so scarred by teenage deaths at a function that it has banished dancing. It is the son’s role to reverse that. The characterisation was strong. The main character of course has to dance well and so Antony Carter as Ren came into his own. He also grew in the role from hesitant newcomer to the brave challenger of the status quo. He was well paired with Michelle Weston as minister’s daughter Ariel who rebels against her father’s edict and whose voice suited the songs, in particular their touching delivery of ‘Almost Paradise’. The minister Shaw Moore and his wife Vi, namely Stewart Borthwick and Helen Roxburgh, successfully conveyed the angst of parents whose daughter was straying from their moral code. Both brought pathos to their roles and caught the audience: Shaw with his pain in ‘Heaven Help Me’ and Vi’s heartfelt ‘Can You Find it In Your Heart’. Other principals characterised their roles well: Dale Henry as the stricken mum Ethel, Gordon Gallagher as Wes Warnicker uncle and overweening gym teacher, Marianne Herron as Rusty the straight talking friend, Colin Fawkes as the controlling boyfriend, Jeanna Connell as helpful aunt and Lucy Andrew bringing in humour to her role of Betty Blast. John Coe as Willard did a fine job of 'Mamma Says'. Newcomers Paige Gilchrist and Caitlyn Friel showed great promise in their parts. All characters and chorus clearly enjoyed being in the show, as evidenced from the opening tableau which burst into movement and song of the title song, ‘Footloose’ and continued to its end. The dance routine here and in the other company numbers like ‘Holding Out For a Hero’, set them afire. The musicians were unobtrusive, supportive to principals and created a good sound. The stark setting of the blank wall that served as backdrop for playground, school gym and dance also opening up to church and meeting place, worked well. All in all, an enjoyable show and another successful first for this company.

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