Footloose The Musical

Footloose is the story of Ren McCormack, a teenage boy from Chicago. He and his mother move to the small farming town after his father abandons them. Upon arriving, Ren finds himself at odds with most of the town, including the Reverend Shaw Moore. The Reverend has convinced the town to outlaw dancing and rock and roll music, which Ren finds unbelievable. With the help of Ariel (the Reverend’s daughter) and Willard (a country hick who becomes his best friend), Ren convinces the Reverend to let the teenagers dance, and in the process helps the town to heal from a tragedy that affected them all.

The central character, Ren was played by Ellen Fearnley who stepped into the role with two weeks- notice, but you would not have known given the ease with which she held the stage and projected the dialogue and music and Ellen was a good mover too. Ren was accompanied to the town by his mother Ethel, played with maturity by Callie Geary.

The full company opened the show with a strong rendition of ‘Footloose’ which got the production well underway.  The next number ‘On Any Sunday’ is led by the Reverend Shaw Moore played well by Seb Taylor and we understand why he outlaws dancing which he blames for the loss of his son.  In the gas station scene, Chuck (Arlo Williams), Ariel (Amelie Reeves), Travis (Shanelle Burston) and Lyle (Jemima Ricketts) lead ‘The Girls Get Around’, well-choreographed and I have to take my hat off to Choreographer Carey Allen for providing several good dances later for the full company, given the cast list totalled 70!

The Reverend Shaw’s wife Vi was played by Jessica Lewis and you felt the mixed feelings she had for her husband’s convictions, well played by Jessica Lewis. Jessica’s number in Act 2 ‘Can You Find It In Your Heart’ was excellent and sung with great feeling. Her daughter Ariel (Amelie Reeves) was also well played and her number with Vi and Ethel ‘Learning to be Silent’ included some very nice harmony. Amelie also worked well with Hollie Williams (Rusty), Charlotte Fazey (Urleen) and  Annie Ajetunmobi (Wendy-Jo) and their number ‘Holding Out For A Hero’ sparkled – along with their costumes. I also very much liked her scene with Ren on the bridge, when Ren announced he wanted to organise a dance. Very natural. 

All along the way Josh Cawston as Willard, good characterisation and Arlo Williams as Chuck, not averse to the odd argument, gave good support as well as Alex Clarke-Muir as Coach Dunbar and Evie Bowkett as Principal Clark. I thought Reverend Shaw’s final speech when he reversed his law for dancing was well handled.

The set on two levels and understandably open, given the size of the cast, included suitable back-cloths and different settings were depicted with some simple props and furniture These were moved on and off efficiently and quietly, particularly noticeable in the absence of covering music between some scenes. But the great sounding band at the rear of the stage provided some good space downstage which I was pleased the cast were not averse to using. The cast were well dressed throughout and included attention to hair styles. The cast and production team led by director Holly Fields are to be congratulated in bringing this musical with its large cast to the stage and I look forward to Matilda Jr. in November.

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